KYODO, Japan, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A gangster reputedly second in command of Japan's largest crime mob was arrested Thursday for alleged extortion, Kyoto prefectural police said.
Kiyhoshi Takayama, 63, of Kobe, was taken into custody for allegedly conspiring with another gang member to extort and shake down approximately $479,000 in protection money from a 65-year-old Kyoto construction business man during 2005 and 2006, the Kyodo News reported.
Japanese police forces have been clamping down on the Nagoya-based Kodokai gang, a group in the Yamaguchi-gumi mob led by Takayama, the News reported.
The first in command is imprisoned boss Kenichi Shinoda, who was jailed in December 2005 for violating a gun control law. Shinoda also comes from the Kodokai, the News said.
Police said they can build a case against Takayama, as the victim said the gang member told him to bring money that would be delivered to ''the boss in Nagoya,'' referring, apparently to Takayama.
UPI
