Banks have a new tool to bar underworld borrowers.
Starting Thursday, the Japanese Bankers Association said its members will be able to screen individual loan seekers using the National Police Agency's database of organized crime members.
Banks compile their own lists on yakuza and other so-called anti-social forces to keep undesirable persons from using their services to perform transactions. The police database, which is already available to the Japan Securities Dealers Association, could enhance banks' accuracy and efficiency when screening for gang members.