Posted on 06/15/2012 8:07:21 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Kiyoshi Takayama, considered to be the second most important man in the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza group, was awarded a Y1.5 billion ($19 million) bail and could be freed ahead of his trial.
Takayama, 64, is charged with extortion, being accused of taking some Y40 million from a construction company in 2005 and 2006.
Currently he is in the hospital due to poor health according to press reports.
The Yamaguchi-gumi is Japan’s biggest yakuza group. The yakuza engages in activities like gambling, prostitution and drugs, while conducting business through front companies.
The yakuza gangs have long been tolerated by the Japanese authorities, but are periodically cracked down for some of their more visible activities.
In February, the United States have frozen financial assets of Yamaguchi-gumi on their territory, following an order of president Barrack Obama.
That is weird. I wonder why.
They’re tolerated the same way the police tolerated much of organized crime here in the mid 20th century. They provide an outlet for gray to illegal though relatively harmless, depending on how you view things, vices like gambling and women.
It’s when they delve into unions/construction/waste management when they become a huge financial liability. At that point they become beyond supplying something that people voluntarily partake in.
These are the guys that took over after O-ren Ishii got decapitated?
The very same. LOL
Not one of Dr Seuss's best works.
They - mostly - confine their activities to gambling and prostitution, while keeping in check with a VERY heavy hand, wildcat criminals and foreign riffraff seeking to start out in crime.
In that sense, they’re “almost” an unconventional force for law enforcement, and to the extent they stay that way, they get a pass.
Currently he is in the hospital due to poor health according to press reports.
Of course, where are the cushiest conditions?
The best beds?
The best food?
The hospital.
Doh!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.