Gunman in Aichi standoff was expelled from yakuza gang 10 years ago

[Anchorman]

NAGAKUTE, Aichi -- The gunman who shot a police officer dead in a tense hostage standoff here formerly belonged to a yakuza gang affiliated with the Yamaguchi-gumi crime syndicate, but was expelled about 10 years ago, police said.

Hisato Obayashi had belonged to an affiliate of the Kodo-kai yakuza organization, but he was expelled from the group about 10 years ago, and his subsequent actions remain unclear. Aichi Prefectural Police investigators and gang-related sources said Obayashi's name had not been circulating in gang circles.

In 2001, Obayashi became furious over an insurance firm's response to his claim for insurance when his vehicle was damaged, and he allegedly threatened a company employee and lawyer, suggesting they would meet the same fate as a murdered lawyer who had worked on a suit against AUM Shinrikyo, the group responsible for the deadly sarin gas attack in Tokyo. Police later arrested him over the threats. Since then, he has been living at the home in Nagakute where the current hostage standoff erupted.

A prefectural police officer commenting on the standoff said it was not surprising Obayashi had a gun, considering his past.

"In cases where yakuza have been expelled for causing trouble to a gang, they need to protect themselves from other members seeking revenge, and so it's not uncommon (for them to have a gun)."

During the standoff, Obayashi reportedly told investigators, "I have over 100 bullets." The police officer commenting on the case said a box of bullets would contain about this number, so the figure was not surprising.

The police investigator said he had "no recollection" of Obayashi, adding, "I don't think he was a serious high-ranking gang member or a member that stood out."

The lack of information means that the profile of the hostage-taker, who shot four people, including two police officers, remains unclear. (Mainichi)