Yakuza

Japanese police have arrested a high-ranking yakuza over claims he sent workers to the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant for the clean-up without a licence.

Japan's justice minister, who was appointed just 18 days ago, was hospitalised amid reports that he was set to resign after he admitted having had links with organised crime.

Japan's justice minister, who was appointed just 18 days ago, is set to resign, media said Friday, after he admitted having had links with organised crime.

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is facing mounting pressure following his justice minister's admission to past links with a yakuza gang, just 10 days after he was appointed.

For tattoo artist Horiyoshi III, the skin into which he sinks his ink-infused needle is a canvas for the myths and legends of Japan -- where body art is indelibly linked to the criminal underworld.

The number-two man in Japan's biggest yakuza group will be released on 1.5 billion yen ($19 million) bail ahead of his trial for extortion, a court decided Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday moved to block seven international organized crime leaders from the country's financial markets, including a Japanese yakuza godfather and key members of a gang operating in four continents.

The United States announced Thursday moves to lock global organized crime out of the financial system, putting sanctions on the Russia-linked Brothers Circle and Japan's Yamaguchi-gumi.

Japan's football chiefs have vowed to shun the country's infamous "yakuza" mobsters, as the sport worldwide tries to protect itself against the long tentacles of organised crime and illegal gambling.

A Japanese journalist who worked at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant this summer claimed Thursday that Japan's yakuza crime syndicates were involved in supplying clean-up crews.

TOKYO (Reuters) - An investigative panel on Tuesday found no link between organized crime and Japan's disgraced Olympus Corp, an outcome that may help it survive a $1.7 billion accounting scandal that ranks as one of the nation's worst.

TOKYO (Reuters) - An investigative panel has found Japan's disgraced Olympus Corp hid up to $1.67 billion in losses from its investors, but is likely to say there is no evidence of involvement by organized crime in the cover-up, a source said Monday.

TOKYO (Reuters) - An investigative panel has found Japan's disgraced Olympus Corp hid up to $1.67 billion in losses from its investors, but is likely to say there is no evidence of involvement by organized crime in the cover-up, a source said Monday.

TOKYO (Reuters) - An investigative panel has found Japan's disgraced Olympus Corp hid up to $1.67 billion in losses from its investors, but is likely to say there is no evidence of involvement by organized crime in the cover-up, a source said Monday.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Former Olympus CEO Michael Woodford met on Thursday with Tokyo prosecutors, who are investigating an accounting scandal at the once venerable camera maker, a day before attending a board meeting for a showdown with the directors who fired him.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Former Olympus Corp CEO Michael Woodford met on Thursday with Tokyo prosecutors, who are investigating an accounting scandal at the company, a day before attending a board meeting for a showdown with the directors who fired him.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Former Olympus Corp CEO Michael Woodford was set on Thursday to meet Tokyo police who are investigating an accounting scandal at the company, a day before attending a board meeting for a showdown with the directors who fired him.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Former Olympus Corp CEO Michael Woodford was set on Thursday to meet Tokyo police who are investigating an accounting scandal at the company, a day before attending a board meeting for a showdown with the directors who fired him.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Former Olympus Corp CEO Michael Woodford was set on Thursday to meet Tokyo police who are investigating an accounting scandal at the company, a day before attending a board meeting for a showdown with the directors who fired him.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Former Olympus Corp CEO Michael Woodford was set on Thursday to meet Tokyo police who are investigating an accounting scandal at the company, a day before attending a board meeting for a showdown with the directors who fired him.