TOKYO: Former member of the House of Councillors, HIGASHITANI Yoshikazu, also known as GaaSyy, has had 100 million yen ($740,000) of his assets frozen due to allegations of violent behavior and other crimes, including extortion, against actor Gen Hoshino and others, the Tokyo Sports newspaper reported on Thursday.

Higashitani is currently in Dubai, where he was issued an arrest warrant on March 16. He has not been able to renew his passport, which expired on April 13 and was placed on an international wanted list.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has arrested IKEDA Shunsuke, one of Gaasyy’s close associates, on charges of obstruction of business. The police have also conducted searches of Higashitani’s parents’ home and other locations.

Politician TACHIBANA Takashi, the controversial founder of the right-wing Seijika Joshi 48 Party, is facing a problem as he promised to pay Higashitani 300 million yen in exchange for becoming a candidate in last year’s House of Councillors election. Tachibana has already paid 200 million yen but has yet to pay the remaining 100 million yen.

If he pays the money now, he runs the risk of being accused of aiding and abetting a man wanted by police.

Higashitani has reportedly earned a significant income from his online businesses.