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Kanagawa cops seize World War II-era pistol from yakuza

Police seized a Kyuyon Shiki Kenju pistol from an Inagawa-kai member
Police seized a Kyuyon Shiki Kenju pistol from an Inagawa-kai member

KANAGAWA (TR) – Kanagawa Prefectural Police have seized a pistol dating back to World War II from an organized crime member in Yokohama, reports TBS News (Oct. 10).

In May, police found a Kyuyon Shiki Kenju pistol and nine rounds of ammunition inside a storage locker registered to Taiji Matsumoto, a 53-year-old upper-level member of the Inagawa-kai.

Matsumoto, who has been charged with violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law, denies the charges, telling police the weapon does not belong to him.

At the time of the weapon’s discovery, it was wrapped and soaking in oil for preservation. Police had not seized such a weapon over the past 10 years.

The 8mm Kyuyon Shiki Kenju was widely manufactured in Japan between 1935 and 1945. It was used by the Imperial Japanese Army.

Police are now attempting to determine how Matsumoto obtained the weapon.