Crossword Genius

Is gripping crime Japanese, perhaps? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

islanders

'japanese perhaps?' is the definition.

'is gripping crime' is the wordplay.
'gripping' is an insertion indicator.
'crime' becomes 'slander'.
'is' enclosing 'slander' is 'ISLANDERS'.

(Other definitions for islanders that I've seen before include "people living in detached territories" , "Snares lid (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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