Gangland turf war threatens Tokyo

Bullets were fired at two gang offices in Tokyo on Tuesday in what appears to be a growing turf war between the country's two biggest underworld syndicates.

Investigators examine an apartment building struck by bullets Tuesday in Toshima Ward, Tokyo. Police believe the shooting stems from a conflict between two gangs. KYODO PHOTO

Police have arrested Hideo Numanou, 43, and Koji Ueno, senior members of a group belonging to the Kobayashi-kai, an affiliate of the Tokyo-based Sumiyoshi-kai, on suspicion of carrying out one of the shootings on an affiliate of the Kobe-based Yamaguchi-gumi.

They have reportedly admitted to the shooting.

Police believe Numanou and Ueno shot three rounds from automatic handguns into a door of a fifth-floor condo in Shibuya Ward at 6:20 a.m.

A group belonging to the Kokusui-kai, a Yamaguchi-gumi affiliate, once used the apartment as an office.

The police said shots were also heard at around 5:40 a.m. at a condo complex in Toshima Ward, where they believe the Ota-kai, another Yamaguchi-gumi affiliate, has an office. Police think the incidents are linked to the shooting death of Ryoichi Sugiura, 43, a senior Kobayashi-kai member, in Minato Ward on Monday.

Police sources said the Yamaguchi-gumi and the Sumiyoshi-kai have been fighting recently, ever since a Yamaguchi-gumi affiliate opened an office in Minato Ward.