Urban Japanese nervous as key yakuza gang seeks a new home

The imminent demolition of the headquarters of one of Japan's most notorious underworld groups has prompted sighs of relief in Tokyo's Roppongi district. It has also led to concern among residents of other areas that might become the new home of the Inagawa-kai.

The gang is the third-largest of the 22 officially recognised crime syndicates in Japan, with close to 5,000 members involved in protection rackets, extortion, blackmail, gambling and loansharking.

The Inagawa-kai may have a reputation of being one of the more traditional and honourable gangs in Japan - its members do not, for example, dabble in human trafficking or child pornography - but that does not mean the average citizen wants them as neighbours.

Fears are most acute in the cities of Kawasaki and Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, which are the traditional business heartland of the gang.

The Yokohama city government declined to comment on reports that the Inagawa-kai may be looking to base its operations there, but locals were less reticent.

Housewife Mariko Shigeno of the Negishi district said she was worried. 'People choose to live in this city precisely because it is not like Tokyo, but this could bring more crime.

'You have to consider that the yakuza have families as well, and as they are often involved in the property business, I can imagine them choosing to live in the nicest parts of Yokohama, which would be a problem,' she added.