Society

Man shot dead in western Japan in possible gang feud

Nov 28 (Japan Today) - A senior member of Japan's largest organized crime syndicate was shot dead Wednesday in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture by a man armed with a submachine gun and a handgun amid a possible gang feud, police said.

Keiichi Furukawa, 59, a high-ranking yakuza of Yamaguchi-gumi, was pronounced dead at a hospital after being shot on a street after 5 p.m.

The suspected assailant fled by minivehicle, but police arrested him in Kyoto city about an hour after the shooting for possessing firearms.

Hisanori Asahina, 52, allegedly possessed a submachine gun and a handgun along with five live bullets when he was arrested. When police officers tried to question him after pulling over his vehicle, Asahina reportedly pointed a handgun at officers.

According to the police, Furukawa and Asahina, an associate of Yamaguchi-gumi, knew each other. The police believe the shooting is linked to ongoing strife between Yamaguchi-gumi and a splinter group, and are investigating it as a murder case.

Furukawa was found lying on his back on the street, bleeding from his abdomen and face. About 10 cartridges were found at the crime scene.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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