Reformed gangster has turned over a new leaf to serve the church and help the needy.
BORN AGAIN: Pastor Inoue and wife.
PASTOR Kaoru Inoue is no ordinary pastor. He is not from the Bible School. He was a gangster in his country, Japan, and he became a pastor because he was touched by Christian teachings. He wanted to share Christian love and help more people.
Inoue said he is now globe-trotting to minister and help churches as well as visit prisons and charitable homes. He is the pastor of ‘Small Stone Ministry’ in Tokyo.
He was named the ‘Gangster of Gojo Street’ in Japan, was a feared member of the Japanese Yakuza (gangster) and also known for his violence, heavy use of drugs, love of money and women.
After he became a Christian in the 90’s, his life was transformed, impacting even his former Yakuza boss to dissolve the Yakuza gang in the city.
Inoue said he was born into a fisherman family practising Buddhism in Hokkaido. He grew up with two sisters and two brothers. He stopped schooling after finishing Junior High School at 15.
He then moved to Tokyo to work as a mechanic in a car factory. He got married at 18 but divorced after three years.
He moved back to his home town, Hokkaido, and started to roam around drinking places. There, he got to know people from the gang.
He said he had done all sorts of bad things to strengthen his status and expand influence and power as a Yakuza member after joining the gang.
“I was very strong and good in fighting. I always caused injuries to others but rarely got hurt. I was ‘crowned’ the champion fighter of Gojo Street,” Inoue recalled.
He said when he was drunk, he even beat up those who bumped into him and people always avoided him.
He added that as a Yakuza, it was important for him to win fights to keep his powerful image. Losers could not survive as gangsters because they lost their territory too. But Inoue refused to cheat and harm the innocent.
Yakuza members have to abide by strict rules. If they made mistakes, they had to cut off their fingers as punishment instead of giving up their lives.
“During my time, the Yakuza gang had bacome a more civilised group,” Inoue said.
The 54-year-old added that back then, he had no fear of dying. He thought even if he died in fighting, he would die with the legacy of a legendary Yakuza hero.
He said he joined the gang because of money and he respected the Yakuza boss who told him he need not leave his family behind if he joined them.
“My family was poor and I wished to have a lot of money. I rejected other gangs who tried to pull me in earlier because they all wanted me to leave my family. I love my family.”
For about 10 years, he was crazy about drugs and attempted suicide a few times. He and his gang members were sometimes hired to escort some rich businessmen and politicians.
He made five-figure Malaysian ringgit per month as a Yakuza. But he never forget to go home and visit his parents. He knows they both love him very much. They opened the door to welcome him although they knew he joined the gang.
“My brother hated me for being a Yakuza. But my parents said no matter what you do, you are still our son, forever. My parents put a sign on the door – ‘No Salesman, No Gangster’ – but they welcomed all my Yakuza friends,” Inoue said.
With the amount he earned, he treated his parents to good food, bought them clothes and paid for their travels in Tokyo.
“I love my parents. When I have money, I don’t mind spending for them to enjoy good things as they can never afford it themselves. When I was young, we were very poor.”
Inoue said although he lived a gangster’s life, deep in his heart, he desired to help people and had a clear conscience. He did not want to harm innocent people and he felt guilty selling drugs.
“I made a lot of money from selling drugs but these things destroyed families and lives,” he admitted.
When he was in his 30s, he met a Christian girl (now his wife) who brought him to church. Although he was influential enough in the hierarchy to replace his Yakuza boss, he decided to leave but he did not expect his boss to let him go without conditions.
In church, he felt a lot of good things coming into his heart and a lot of bad things going out. He felt cleansed and started learning the Bible. His tendency to commit suicide was gone and he felt contented and finally found joy and peace.
“I did not know how to live my life before I got to know Christ. I attempted suicide a few times and I almost died. Finding Jesus is such a wonderful thing. He changed my life. I learned righteousness and He strengthens me to live a better life,” Inoue said.
People tell him he has become very different after becoming a Christian. He does not look fierce and scary anymore, especially his eyes. They are able to feel his love and warmth.
Inoue said after becoming a Christian, he even got some Yakuza members to support church activities. And after he prayed for his Yakuza boss for a few years, the latter also quit and eventually dissolved the gang.
“God has a plan for me to live. I tried other jobs but I came back to serve the church. I’m grateful the Lord is using a person like me to be a pastor as there are many othersmore educated and wiser. I shall remain as a humble ‘Small Stone’ – Jesus receives the glory.”
He said those who are in pain, lost and suffering should remember Jesus loves, helps, heals and restores. There are hopes.
“Everyone, especially young people, should not give up their lives easily. There are many with social problems and involved in suicide cases. I want to encourage them with this statement: If anyone believes in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation; old things have passed away. Behold, all things have come new,” Inoue said.