General

In search of forgiveness?

One of Japan’s most notorious gangsters goes into the priesthood

One of Japan’s most notorious gangsters is leaving behind his life of crime to enter the Buddhist priesthood. Tadamasa Goto, a leader of the powerful Yamaguchi-gumi crime syndicate will enter a temple in Kanagawa prefecture south of Tokyo tomorrow to begin his training. It’s just the latest twist in the life of Goto, who fell out with his hoodlum buddies last year over revelations that he had offered information to the FBI in return for permission to enter the US for a life-saving liver transplant in 2001.

Guardian.co.uk

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.