Two reputed gangsters killed in Japan

updated 1:51 p.m. ET Nov. 27, 2007

TOKYO - A reputed organized crime leader was shot to death and his driver was fatally stabbed Tuesday in a brazen attack in southern Japan, police said, even as the country moved to toughen firearms laws.

The men are thought to have been killed minutes apart on a street in Fukuoka prefecture, according to Naokazu Ikenaga, a local police official.

Residents alerted police to the attacks after witnesses heard shots being fired, Ikenaga said. Public broadcaster NHK also cited witnesses as saying they saw a knife-wielding man fleeing the scene.

Police identified the victims as Yoshikazu Matsuo, 61, an alleged leader of a local organized crime group affiliated with the nationwide Dojinkai syndicate, and Kaname Fujimura, 48, a gang member who was his driver.

The attacks come amid an apparent turf war among underground groups on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. Earlier this month, a patient at a hospital in Kyushu was fatally shot in his room after being mistaken for a gang member.

They also follow moves to toughen punishment for owning guns in a country that has long prided itself on crime-free streets.

The legislation, approved by parliament earlier Tuesday, will target organized crime syndicates. The new law increases penalties for firing a gun to five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $279,600, from the current three years.

A member of an organized crime group found with a gun could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $46,660 under the new law, up from 10 years in prison.

While shootings are still relatively rare in Japan, authorities are concerned about a recent rise in crimes involving guns.

In April, Nagasaki Mayor Iccho Ito was shot twice in the back and died hours later. A senior member of Japan's top crime syndicate, the Yamaguchi-gumi, was captured at the scene and confessed.

Gun licenses are issued for hunting and sports purposes. Owners must have their weapons inspected by authorities once a year.

More from msnbc.com Obama on health care policy: ‘No free lunch’ Superbug slips through food-safety net Interactive: Top contenders at the British Open Timeline: Reliving NASA's glory days 'Half-Blood Prince' is strong warm-up for finale Traveling with your pet? Keep ’em safe

MORE FROM ASIA-PACIFIC

Asia-Pacific Section Front

Chinese Muslims target of propaganda effort Ambushes hit road to Indonesian mine Big quake off New Zealand triggers small wave Hiker survives 12 days in Australian bushland Australia investigates odd penguin killings China city goes from riots to a beauty contest Asia-Pacific Section Front   Add Asia-Pacific headlines to your news reader: