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Intelligence
Frequently Asked Questions

Organized-Crime Audit Services

Q
What is the scope of the organized-crime connections that we investigate?
A
We investigate individuals or organizations to determine if they have ties to organized crime, gangs, political racketeering groups, or crime syndicates.
Q
Do you search a database of companies with ties to criminal organizations?
A
We don't have a database of organized crimes (anti-social forces). Our investigative reports are drafted on a case-by-case basis by our researchers using open-source information such as newspaper articles (in conjunction with Japan's largest media database), government bulletins, legal cases, and the Internet.
Q
How can I request an investigation?
A
Use our Web interface to apply for an investigation.
You will be issued a unique ID and password which you can use to login and submit a request on the application page.
The report containing the results of your investigation will also be provided through the Web interface.
Q
Are there any separate sign-up or membership fees?
A
We do not charge any sign-up or membership fees. You will only be invoiced for the investigations you request each month.
Q
What kind of research is included in the investigation?
A
We look into organized-crime connections, arrests, incidents, administrative measures, and other negative information (including information posted on major message boards), as well as lawsuits, bankruptcies, etc.
Q
I need an investigation done as soon as possible. About how long will it take to get the results?
A
You can receive a report as quick as one business day.
Q
I'd like a more detailed investigation that goes beyond searching the Internet and newspaper articles. Can you do that?
A
We also offer investigations of rumors (through interviews) and on-site investigations of individuals or corporations.
Please contact us for more information.
Q
What security system do you have in place?
A
1. You can specify the IP addresses that are allowed to connect, which will prevent sensitive information from being accessed outside of a designated area.
2. You can set up two-factor authentication.
3. The same customer can have multiple accounts, but only the account that places an order can view those order details. (excluding administrator accounts)
Q
Can you conduct international investigations?
A
Our company is a member of the World Association of Detectives (WAD), which allows us to offer global investigations through our international network.
Q
Is your company certified?
A
We hold the following certifications.
ISMS certification: ISO/IEC 27001:2013 / JIS Q 27001:2014〔ISR025〕
Registered scope of certification: corporate-risk consulting; intellectual-property consulting
Q
I'd like to get an estimate for an investigation. What should I do?
A
First, please let us know which competitors to investigate and what specifically you would like us to look into. Based on that information, we will conduct pre-research (free of charge) to determine the viability of the investigation. We will then draft a project plan in accordance with those results and present it to you. The project plan will contain the potential scope of the investigation as well as other information such as the investigative methods, cost, duration, and criteria. Verify the information in this document, then decide if you want to order the investigation.
*We will prepare a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) when you disclose the subject and other details of the investigation to us.

Competitive and Market Research

Q
I'd like you to look into the target companies without them knowing that they are being investigated. Can you tell me more about your investigative methods?
A
Our competitive research is based on undercover (firsthand) interviews conducted by our research staff using advanced interviewing skills, so the fact that an investigation is being conducted won't be communicated to the other party.
Q
The company I want investigated is publicly listed. Can you obtain more detailed information than what is found on its financial statements?
A
Since we employ investigative methods that are not used by corporate researchers and market-research firms (primarily undercover interviews), we can acquire in-depth qualitative information.
Q
Can you conduct competitive research in foreign country?
A
We can investigate also foreign corporations and the foreign branches of Japanese companies. When conducting global investigations, we don't simply pass off the work to a local investigation company — our research staff travels directly to the location and conducts research at the same level offered through our domestic services.
Q
Is investigating a competitor illegal?
A
Our investigative reports are created by carefully considering only the information we obtain through interviews as well as open-source (publicly available) information found on the Internet or in print, so there is no danger of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. We also do not obtain documents or other information considered to be a trade secret of the target company.