Fukuoka prefectural police arrested Naoyuki Shiomi, a 59-year-old executive of the Kudo-kai — a yakuza group designated as especially dangerous under the anti-organized-crime law — on November 4, alleging he used his gang membership to avoid repaying a debt. He was held on suspicion of violating the anti-organized-crime law by demanding debt exemption, and of extortion, police said.
Shiomi has told investigators he will remain silent, according to the announcement. He lives in Ota-machi, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu.
Police allege that between 8 and 9 p.m. on December 28, 2021, Shiomi met a self-employed man in his 50s from Kokurakita Ward's neighboring Kokurakita district who had come to his home to ask for repayment of a ¥6 million loan. Shiomi is accused of showing the man his tattoos and saying things including "There isn't any" and "Can't do it," refusing to pay.
He is also alleged to have frightened the man in a sharp tone, saying "I've been promoted again, haven't I" and "I've moved up to the executive board now," and to have made him abandon efforts to collect the debt.
The anti-organized-crime law prohibits gang members from seeking debt exemptions or similar concessions by displaying the power of their organization. Police said Shiomi is one of the top executives who make up the Kudo-kai's leadership.