The United States has frozen the financial assets of two organised crime groups in Japan: the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza group and the Brothers' Circle.
The Department of the Treasury said it was also freezing the assets of key members, including Yamaguchi-gumi leader Kenichi Shinoda.
The BBC reports this is the first time such measures have been imposed following a presidential executive order last year.
No details were given on the value of the frozen assets.
The Treasury also listed nine individuals - two from the Yamaguchi-gumi and seven from the Brothers' Circle - as being subject to financial sanctions.
The Brothers' Circle operates in at least four continents.
