Gunman Opens Fire in Japan Sports Club

By CARL FREIRE
Associated Press Writer

TOKYO (AP) - A gunman opened fire at a sports club in southwestern Japan on Friday night, killing one employee and wounding seven other people before escaping, police said.

A 26-year-old club employee was shot dead at a Renaissance sports club in the city of Sasebo on the southwestern island of Kyushu, Sasebo police spokesman Tamotsu Honda said. Seven other people, including two girls, ages 9 and 10, were hospitalized.

The attack comes amid an apparent turf war among underground groups on Kyushu. Last month, a reputed organized crime leader was shot to death and his driver fatally stabbed in Fukuoka, just weeks after the brazen fatal shooting of a patient at a hospital who was mistaken for gang member.

Honda said police were searching for the gunman and would likely explore the possibility of an organized crime connection.

Kyodo News agency quoted local police as saying the gunman pushed his way into the club shortly after 7 p.m. and immediately began firing. He remained holed up briefly in the club before making a getaway, public broadcaster NHK said.

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

Last month, parliament approved new legislation to stiffen penalties for gun crimes, particularly those perpetrated by organized crime groups. Due to the country's strict controls on handguns, most shootings here are related to gang violence.

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

Sasebo is about 614 miles southwest of Tokyo.

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