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Yamaguchi-gumi member arrested for extortion of Shibuya hooker club

Yamaguchi-gumi member arrested for extortion of Shibuya hooker club
The suspect allegedly collected a total of 700,000 yen on 19 occasions
TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Thursday arrested a member of the Yamaguchi-gumi criminal syndicate for extorting money from a club raided in September for providing prostitution services, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Dec. 15).

Officers took Koichi Urata, 47, into custody for allegedly collecting a total of 700,000 yen on 19 occasions between December 27, 2009 and September 6 of this year from the manager of a club offering prostitution in the Dogenzaka area of the Shibuya entertainment district.

The suspect has reportedly denied the allegations.

According to investigators, the extortion — termed mikajimeryo, or the collection of protection money on the third day of the month — came to light when police searched the club’s premises in September and uncovered evidence linking Urata to the crime.

“If I refuse (to pay), I’ll receive harassment,” the 37-year-old manager is quoted by police. “If I sever ties, another yakuza group inevitably will appear.”