Susumu Ishii; Japanese Crime Boss Entered Stock Market

Susumu Ishii, 67, a one-time gangland boss whose dealings with key stock brokerages put him at the center of a major scandal in Japan. Until last year, Ishii headed the Inagawa-kai, Japan’s second-largest “yakuza” underworld syndicate. He led the syndicate into stocks, prompting heavy market speculation that sent prices soaring. His involvement led to the resignation this summer of the heads of Nomura Securities and Nikko Securities, two of Japan’s top securities houses. In Tokyo on Tuesday of a stroke.