Japanese police set up unit to stop yakuza 'civil war'

Kenichi Shinoda -- the boss of the Yamaguchi-gumi gang -- was released from prison in 2011.

Tokyo (AFP) - Japanese police on Monday set up a special unit to oversee efforts to stem what they are describing as a full-fledged "war" between rival organised crime groups, media reported.

Officers have made a series of raids and arrests since late last year after a split in the country's biggest crime syndicate fuelled fears of the worst gang conflict in decades.