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Japan executes ex-yakuza members for murder in Chiba

Katsuji Hamazaki
Katsuji Hamazaki

TOKYO (TR) – Japan’s Ministry of Justice on Friday announced the execution of two former organized crime members for a shooting death in Chiba Prefecture eight years ago, reports public broadcaster NHK (Apr. 26).

During a dispute at a family restaurant on April 25, 2005, Katsuji Hamazaki, 64, a former boss within the Yamaguchi-gumi, and fellow gang member Yoshihide Miyagi, 56, shot and killed two people, including one other organized crime boss.

There have been a total of five executions under the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which began in December of last year. In February, three death-row inmates were executed by hanging.

There are currently 134 inmates on death row in Japan.