Japan's underworld turns to gold for a quick buck

A series of robberies and smuggling cases in southern Japan suggest that the region has become a hotbed of underworld activity surrounding the lucrative gold trade.

"In years gone by, the 'yakuza' earned their living largely from extortion and protection rackets, but the new legislation has effectively eliminated those revenue streams," he said. "So they have been casting around for a new way of making a living, and the gangs that are dominant in southern Japan have clearly recognized the opportunities that lie in gold."

Japan's underworld turns to gold for a quick buck