Shinjuku Incident – Review

In the 1990s Chinese immigrants try to escape a poor economy and find work and life in Japan, despite harsh treatment from locals and legal uncertainties. As a gigantic ship capsizes, the most recent group of immigrants swims ashore, and dries on the beaches of Japan, trying to decide what to do next. Any plans are thrown into disarray as authorities arrive, sending all Chinese scattering.

One notable illegal immigrant is named Steelhead (Chan), and he is there in Japan in hopes of finding his fiancé Xiu-Xiu (Xu) who went there years prior and has not sent word home. As he assimilates into society, he learns some crime tips to stay alive, finding a small community with friends Jie (Wu), Old Ghost (Lam) and more.

Unfortunately for all cultures involved, Steelhead’s Chinese group starts growing and growing, butting heads with Taiwanese gangsters and Japanese yakuza. Eventually Steelhead makes a play to get some territory, edging out the Taiwanese, however all this does is spark a large war between most of the parties.

As the varying groups fight for territory and power, blood is shed and alliances are tested. Will Steelhead find a new life in Japan, far different from his farmer past he left behind? Will the authorities and rival gangsters give him too much trouble? Find out in Shinjuku Incident.

This is not a typical Jackie Chan actioner, and features much more story and cultural examinations than kung-fu action. The story is a bit long, but does cover plenty of interesting aspects of many of the warring tribes, and looks at immigration from other perspectives than the local news.