August 31, 2005

Crime family has construction connection

TOKYO

Japan’s largest underworld gang, the Yamaguchi-gumi, formally appointed a new head Saturday, a media report said, marking the first change in power for the group in 16 years.

Kenichi Shinoda, 63, the former second-in-command, took over in a ceremony held at the gang’s headquarters in the western Japanese city of Kobe, the Kyodo News agency reported, citing an unnamed source familiar with the syndicate. Police couldn’t confirm the report.

Shinoda, known as Shinobu Tsukasa in the underworld, takes over from Yoshinori Watanabe, 64, who stepped down last month.

Kyodo News said police have been monitoring the group closely for signs of a power struggle but had not seen any.

Japanese syndicate, commonly called the yakuza, are among the world’s wealthiest, bringing in billions of dollars a year from extortion, gambling, the sex industry, guns, drugs, and real estate and construction kickback schemes. They are also involved in stock market manipulation and internet pornography. Despite more than a decade of police crackdowns, their numbers have been growing.

Associated Press

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