LAOS (TR) – Yoshihito Oshima, the former Director of Lao ASEAN Leasing Public Company (LALCO), has passed away, the company said in a statement posted on its Facebook page on October 19.
Oshima was the son of billionaire Kenshin Oshima, the founder of the now-defunct Industrial Bank of Japan Fund (SFCG).
The statement, which has since been deleted, did not disclose the cause of Oshima’s death. However, online sources are reporting that his death was the result of foul play — claims that are shrouded in mystery given that local media and law enforcement have yet to provide information on the matter.
According to a Facebook post by Joseph Akaravong, the deadly incident took place at around 9:10 p.m. on October 14 at a residential housing complex within the city.
Akaravong, a Laotian activist in exile in France, posted surveillance camera footage showing the moment Oshima was allegedly gunned down by unknown assailants in a parking lot.
As of this week, police authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the alleged attack.
“Deepest condolences”
According to its website, LALCO is a public financial leasing company headquartered in Vientiane. The firm specializes in providing leasing services for cars and motorcycles, the majority of which are Japanese brands.
The LALCO statement went on to say that Yuriko Oshima has been appointed as Director. She is the wife of Kenshin Oshima, who is now serving as Senior Consultant.
“On behalf of the management and all employees, the company would like to express our deepest condolences and share our sorrow with your family and relatives,” the said the statement, which was signed by Kenshin Oshima. “We would like to express our condolences and dedicate our prayers for the repose of his soul.