Crime Boss Back on the Lose in Japan

Chelsea Smothers Blog #11 4.12.11 11:18 PM Kenichi Shinoda was imprisoned for illegal gun possession not long after he took over the Yamaguchi-gumi, which is a gang that has an estimated 35,000 members. Yamaguchi-gumi has has been freed from jail after six years, he is the head of Japan's biggest yakuza syndicate. Japan's police are now expecting "aggressive activities" from the gang. Japan's police does however promise to crack down on the yakuza. Kiyoshi Takayama, who is Shinoda's second in command, was arressted over extortion allegations late last year. The yakuza groups in Japan are not illegal and frequently operate out of small offices. The gang is involved in every area of criminal activity in Japan, says Analysts. It covers all aspects from drug running and prostitution to stock market manipulation. Shinoda is said to have greatly expanded the Yamaguchi-gumi's reach by sealing deals with other gangs, before he went to jail. The police launched a crackdown, in 2009, which has since then seriously disrupted the gang's operations. Emering from jail in Fuchu, which is of Tokyo, Shinoda wore sunglasses and a leather hat. Shinoda, who has previously spent time in jail for killing a rival with a samurai sword, headed back to his home in the city of Kobe. Having such an influential man in the gang world back out in the streets as a free man, is quite a scary thought. He obviously has a lot of pull with the Yamaguchi-gumi and other gangs. I feel as if he could organize many crimes out of spite for his jail time and the Japan police needs to have all eyes opened and positioned on him. It would be no surprise to me if the crime rate does go up now that Shinoda is out of jail. The 69 year old crime boss will put a lot of fear in different people. He also, judginf from his past, has no counscience and does not mind the killing and the illegal acvtivities that he conducts. I do not think the violence will be stopping anytime soon. Honestly, I think it is about to get much, much worse. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13027109