Yakuza Boss Sentenced To Death By Hanging. “You Will Regret This For The Rest Of Your Life,” He Told The Judge

A Japanese court has sentenced a senior member of the Yakuza crime group to death by hanging. 

The court in the city of Fukuoka found that 74-year-old Nomura Satoru had ordered four assaults, one of which resulted in death.

The court’s decision was brought down despite a lack of clear evidence against Nomura, according to local media. He denied any involvement.

This is said to be the first time a senior member of the Yakuza has been sentenced to death.

Upon hearing his sentence, Nomura told the judge, according to the Nishinippon Shimbun newspaper:

“I asked for a fair decision… You will regret this for the rest of your life.”

Nomura, who is the head of the Kudo-sai syndicate based in south-western Japan, intends to appeal the decision.

Despite the lack of direct evidence that Nomura had ordered the gruesome attacks, the prosecutors successfully argued that his command over the group meant he was ultimately to blame.

During the four crimes between 1998 and 2014, an ex-head of a fishing co-operative was murdered, and three others, including a police officer, were badly injured.

After handing Nomura his sentence, the judge described his actions as extremely vicious.

The Yakuza is not illegal in Japan, and they are known to operate front companies out of smart offices.

According to analysts, the gangs are involved in every area of crime in the country, from drug-related businesses and prostitution to stock-market manipulation.

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