Japan's Commercial Code bans companies from paying off such extortionists, who buy shares then threaten to disrupt shareholder meetings or disclose damaging information.
When the town's merchants asked how they could find the additional money demanded by this band of extortionists, Gable said, "Tell 'em to put up the price of beans!"
Many firms that do a lot of trade online are also coming under attack from extortionists who threaten to knock a site offline unless they are paid a ransom.