TOYAMA (TR) – Toyama Prefectural Police are investigating an attempted arson attack that targeted an office of an affiliate gang of the recently troubled Yamaguchi-gumi, reports Nippon News Network (Feb. 29).
At approximately 2:40 a.m. on Monday, police received a report about several Molotov cocktails that had been thrown into the office of the Takada-gumi, which is located in the Taya area.
No major damage or injuries were reported.
Just following the incident, eyewitnesses observed persons fleeing from the scene by car. Officers from the Toyama Chuo Police Station are now seeking the whereabouts of the vehicle.
In September, the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi formed as a rival to the Yamaguchi-gumi. Two gangs affiliated with the Takada-gumi subsequently joined the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi. Police suspect that the arson attack is connected to this move.
As of the end of last year, there were 10 organized crime groups with 310 member in Toyama Prefecture.