US Sanctions Japanese Individual Linked to Yakuza Network

Washington denies Japanese national Tadamasa Goto, who is linked with the Yakuza criminal network, access to the US financial system, according to Office of Foreign Assets Control Acting Director John Smith.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States has imposed sanctions on Japanese national Tadamasa Goto for aiding the Yakuza criminal network’s operations around the world, Office of Foreign Assets Control Acting Director John Smith said in a press release on Wednesday.

"Today’s action denies Goto access to the US financial system and demonstrates our resolve to aggressively combat transnational criminal organizations and their supporters," Smith stated.

Goto served in several leadership positions in a number of Yakuza groups, but was expelled and sent to retire in Cambodia in 2008, according to the press release. However, Goto continued to launder a Yakuza funds.

In July 2011, President Barack Obama designated the Yakuza as significant transnational criminal organization, and obliged the US Treasury Department to pursue sanctions against Yakuza’s members.