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Ex-yakuza members busted for extortion of Yokohama city councilman

Ex-yakuza members busted for extortion of Yokohama city councilman
2 ex-gangsers demanded payment of 5 million yen in cash from a city councilman
TOKYO (TR) – Officers from the anti-organized crime division of the Kanagawa Prefectural Police arrested two former gangsters for the alleged extortion of a Yokohama government official regarding a restaurant firing, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Feb. 14).

Officers took former gang boss Shigeru Yamano, 66, and ex-gangster Shigeyasu Motojima, 75, into custody for demanding payment of five million yen in cash and goods from a 66-year-old city councilman between October of last year and January.

The suspects reportedly phoned the home of the councilman dozens of times to demand the payment as a consequence of the dismissal of a female restaurant employee. “Should you not show good faith you had better be prepared,” the pair reportedly threatened.

Both suspects have reportedly admitted to the allegations.

The councilman is said to have introduced the woman to the owner of the restaurant.