World

Assets of Japanese criminal groups frozen by US

06:41 am on 25 February 2012

The United States has frozen the financial assets of two organised crime groups in Japan: the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza group and the Brothers' Circle.

The Department of the Treasury said it was also freezing the assets of key members, including Yamaguchi-gumi leader Kenichi Shinoda.

The BBC reports this is the first time such measures have been imposed following a presidential executive order last year.

No details were given on the value of the frozen assets.

The Treasury also listed nine individuals - two from the Yamaguchi-gumi and seven from the Brothers' Circle - as being subject to financial sanctions.

The Brothers' Circle operates in at least four continents.