Yakuza gang member shot dead in Okayama

A high-ranking member of an organized crime group has been shot dead in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan.

Police say Tadashi Takagi was a senior member of a group affiliated with the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi. The 55-year-old man was found unconscious with gunshots to his chest in a parking lot of a condominium in Okayama city on Tuesday. He was later confirmed dead.

According to the police, witnesses heard bangs near the parking lot and saw a motorcycle leaving the area.

Investigators say the shooting may be related to a rift between the country’s largest yakuza group, the Yamaguchi-gumi, and its splinter group, the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi.

In March, the National Police Agency designated the 2 groups as being in a state of conflict.

It says there have been 75 related incidents across Japan since the 2 groups separated in August of last year, and that guns were used in 8 of them.

Police are on high alert and are increasing patrols to prevent problems at the offices that belong to the 2 warring groups.

Source and image: NHK