Police arrested or punished 1,982 members of rightist groups nationwide last year, an increase of 398, or 25 percent, from the year before, the National Police Agency said Thursday.

The figure is the highest since 1994, when the agency began compiling records.

Those arrested or punished in connection with money-related crimes, such as blackmail and fraud, totaled 805, up 235 from the previous year.

The rightist groups were also charged with failing to report 343 million yen in income in 2001, the agency said.

The groups were involved in cases ranging from illegal dumping of waste, including construction materials and lubricating oil, and illegal use of wireless equipment.

The agency said there was a marked increase in violent crimes involving rightist groups last year. It attributed this to the recession.

By crime category, the NPA said 313 rightists were arrested or punished for extortion and attempted blackmail, up 144 from the year before, 181 for assaults, up by 22, and 57 for obstructing business, up 29.

The number of those arrested or punished for violating the waste management law totaled 24, up 18. , while those who violated the wireless law totaled 23, or 20 more than last year.

The number of rightists arrested or punished for threats and disorderly behavior involving the use of sound trucks came to 194 in 2001, up 17 from the previous year.