Stricter Gun Control Laws Follow High-Profile Yakuza Crimes In Japan

October 17, 2007 5:54 a.m. EST

Tokyo, Japan (AHN)-Crime busters want to hit the yakuza crime syndicate with a heavy 30 million yen ($256,695) fine added to prison sentences for gun use, possession and manufacturing - three times what offenders now pay.

It will be the most far-reaching since illegal shooting was added to the Swords and Firearms Control Law 12 years ago and follows high profile crimes across Japan this year. On Sunday, a former yakuza adviser was shot dead in downtown Tokyo, police said.

The changes fell short of punishing gang bosses together with convicted underlings, the Mainichi Daily News reported.

The National Police Agency expects the revised bills approved by parliament this year.

The new changes will raised the minimum term for involvement in an organized shooting incident from three to five years, with the maximum term remaining at life imprisonment, and imposing a fine of up to 30 million yen for convicted offenders.

It extends the maximum term for gun possession from 10 to 15 years and levying fines of up to 5 million yen ($42,782).

Revisions to the Weapons Manufacture Law will add a fine of up to 30 million yen on prison sentences of five years to life.