Yakuza
"Yakuza" written in katakana
Presumed Origin	the Kabuki-mono
Creation	XVII century
Actual Number	84,700 members[1]
Principals clans	Yamaguchi-gumi Sumiyoshi-kai Inagawa-kai Toua Yuai Jigyo Kummiai
Activities	Blackmail, Illegal gambling, Casino, Prostitution, Smuggling

Yakuza (ヤクザ or やくざ , Yakuza^?), also known as gokudō (極道, gokudō^?), are members of traditional organized crime groups in Japan, and also known as the "violence group". is a Japanese Syllabary, one component of the Japanese writing system along with Hiragana, Kanji, and in some cases the Latin alphabet or were in Japan, between the end of the Muromachi era and the beginnining of the Edo period, Ronin who claimed to be Samurais of the is Japan 's largest and most infamous Yakuza organization and is named after founder Harukichi Yamaguchi. Sumiyoshi-kai (住吉会 sometimes referred to as Sumiyoshi-rengō (住吉連合 is the second-largest Yakuza group in Japan with an estimated 10000 members The Inagawa-kai (稲川会 is the third largest of Japan 's Yakuza groups with approximately 5000 members Blackmail is the crime of threatening to reveal substantially true information about a person to the public a family member or associates unless a demand made upon the Gaming law can be described as the set of rules and regulations that apply to the gaming or Gambling industry A casino is in the modern sense of the word a facility that houses and accommodates certain types of Gambling activities Prostitution is the act of performing Sexual activity in exchange for Money. Smuggling, also known as trafficking, is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons past a point where prohibited such as out of a building into a Prison "Crime syndicate" redirects here For the DC Comics group of villains see Crime Syndicate. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Today, the Yakuza are one of the largest crime organizations in the world. In Japan, there are some 84,712 known members of Yakuza. ^[2] In Japanese legal terminology, yakuza organizations are referred to as bōryokudan, literally "violence groups", which Yakuza members consider an insult as it can be applied to any violent criminal. Bōryokudan (暴力団 literally "violence group" is the term used by the Japanese Police to describe the Organized crime groups commonly known

History

Origins

The "kabuki-mono" were a group that dressed in a somewhat peculiar style and spoke in vulgar specialized vernacular that matched their often abrasive and outrageous behavior.

Despite their notoriety in modern Japan, the precise origin of the Yakuza is still somewhat the subject of debate. The first historical interpretation of their derivation is from the hatamoto-yakko or Kabuki-mono of the 17th century Genroku Era,^[3] who were derivative classes of the low-rank hatamoto, which resembled a quarter of the shogun. or were in Japan, between the end of the Muromachi era and the beginnining of the Edo period, Ronin who claimed to be Samurais of the As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar was a after Jōkyō and before Hōei. This period spanned the years from 1688 through 1704 A was a Samurai in the direct service of the Tokugawa shogunate of feudal Japan. is a military rank and historical title in Japan. The Japanese word for "general" it is made up of two Kanji words sho, meaning "commander" ^[4]

Other theories, suggested by the Yakuza members themselves claim their origins are from the machi-yokko, who policed villages by protecting them from the hatamoto-yakko that tried to steal from them, despite their being outmatched by the Hatamoto-yakko in training and strength. Police are agents or agencies usually of the executive, empowered to enforce the law and to effect public and social order through the legitimatized use of force Despite their shortcomings, the machi-yakko were regarded as folk heroes similar to those in the stories of Robin Hood, with some groups being made the feature of plays and dramas. Robin Hood is an archetypal figure in English folklore, whose story originates from medieval times but who remains significant in popular culture where ^[5][6] The derivation from the hatamoto-yakko or Kabuki-mono known for their adoption of strange hair styles and outrageous dress manner refers to a relevant era of the Genroku Period in which kabuki plays, and onnagata were prominent. is a form of traditional Japanese theatre. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate Make-up worn by some of its performers is a form of traditional Japanese theatre. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate Make-up worn by some of its performers

Despite the different groups, the majority of the events which led to their inception occurred during the Edo period. The, also referred to as the Tokugawa period (徳川時代 Tokugawa-jidai) is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1868 As peacetime brought about by the destruction of the Toyotomi Clan ensured the Tokugawa shogunate's role of maintaining peace, shogun retainers were no longer required in their role as soldiers^[7] and moved from their own catchment areas to live in feudal castles where their income was determined by their daimyō. The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the, and the, was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the Shoguns of The ( were powerful territorial lords who ruled most of Japan from their vast hereditary land holdings

Due to the isolation of Japan and restriction of foreign trade, Japan's agricultural production and domestic trade greatly improved which resulted in the increase of power in the merchant class and the financial dependency of the samurai upon them -- samurai retainers were paid with rice by their daimyō, and then sold it in markets as a means of generating their salary. is the term for the military nobility of Pre-industrial Japan.

As natural disasters, famine and tax increases led to the destabilization of the social hierarchy and the decline of morals due to public dissatisfaction with the government, factions of wayward, leaderless samurai known as ronin began to focus their attention from community service towards generating money through theft and violence towards smaller mercantile villages with disparate policing and little feudal control as they presented less-dangerous means of achieving iniquitous money. A was a Samurai with no lord or master during the Feudal period (1185–1868 of Japan. However, Yakuza that claim origin from the machi-yakko refute their origins from the hatamoto-yakko due to its association with thievery, which is supposedly unpracticed amongst modern Yakuza.

In larger towns, several of these groups often existed simultaneously, and they often fought for territory, money and influence much like modern gangs, disregarding any civilians caught in the crossfire. Again, this is the origin of a popular theme of Japanese film and television, made famous in the West by an Akira Kurosawa film called Yojimbo in which a wandering ronin sets two such gangs against each other and eventually destroys them. Western culture (sometimes equated with Western Civilization) are terms which are used to refer to Cultures of European origin is a 1961 Jidaigeki (period drama film directed by Akira Kurosawa. Yakuza derived some practices from both machi-yakko and kabukimono. Their protection rackets can be seen as originating from machi-yakko, but their more colorful fashion and language are derived from the kabukimono tradition.

Divisions of origin

Despite uncertainty about the single origin of Yakuza organizations, most modern Yakuza derive from two classifications which emerged in the mid-Edo Period: tekiya, those who primarily peddled illicit, stolen or shoddy goods; and bakuto, those who were involved in or participated in gambling. The, also referred to as the Tokugawa period (徳川時代 Tokugawa-jidai) is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1868 ^[8]

Tekiya (peddlers) were considered one of the lowest of Edo castes. Tekiya (的屋 or テキ屋 "peddlers" were itinerant Japanese merchants who along with the Bakuto ("gamblers" were the predecessors to As they began to form organizations of their own, they took over some administrative duties relating to commerce, such as stall allocation and protection of their commercial activities. During Shinto festivals, these peddlers opened stalls and some members were hired to act as security. Each peddler paid rent in exchange for a stall assignment and protection during the fair. The Edo government eventually formally recognized such tekiya organizations and granted the "oyabun" (servants) of tekiya a surname as well as permission to carry a sword. This was a major step forward for the traders, as formerly only samurai and noblemen were allowed to carry swords.

Bakuto (gamblers) had a much lower social standing even than traders, as gambling was illegal. Bakuto (博徒 were itinerant gamblers in Japan from the 1700s to the mid-20th century Many small gambling houses cropped up in abandoned temples or shrines at the edge of towns and villages all over Japan. Most of these gambling houses ran loan sharking businesses for clients, and they usually maintained their own security personnel. The places themselves, as well as the bakuto, were regarded with disdain by society at large, and much of the undesirable image of the yakuza originates from bakuto; This includes the name "yakuza" itself.

Because of the economic situation during the mid-period and the predominance of the merchant class, developing Yakuza groups were composed of misfits and delinquents that had joined or formed Yakuza groups to extort customers in local markets by selling fake or shoddy goods. ^[8] The roots of the Yakuza can still be seen today in initiation ceremonies, which incorporate tekiya or bakuto rituals. Initiation is a Rite of passage Ceremony marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society A ritual is a set of actions often thought to have Symbolic value the performance of which is usually prescribed by a Religion or by the Traditions Although the modern yakuza has diversified, some gangs still identify with one group or the other; For example, a gang whose primary source of income is illegal gambling may refer to themselves as bakuto.

Post-War Yakuza: Gurentai

Certain public Japanese bathhouses (sentō) and gymnasiums often openly ban those bearing large or graphic tattoos in an attempt to prevent Yakuza from entering. Public baths originated from a communal need for cleanliness Often the term public is misleading to some people as they will have restrictions based upon who can use the facility is a type of Japanese communal bath house where customers pay for entrance The word γυμνάσιον (gymnasion was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual Education of young men (see Gymnasium

As Japan began to industrialize and urbanization got underway, a third group of yakuza called gurentai (愚連隊) began to emerge (though the name gurentai was not given until after World War II). Urbanizationn (also spelled urbanisation) is the physical growth of Urban areas into rural or natural land as a result of population in-migration to an existing The Pacific War was the part of World War II —and preceding conflicts—that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands and in East Asia, between Whether they fall into the traditional definition of yakuza is still open to debate, but they certainly gave birth to another kind of yakuza, the bōryokudan (violence group). Bōryokudan (暴力団 literally "violence group" is the term used by the Japanese Police to describe the Organized crime groups commonly known In short, a gurentai is a gang in a much more traditional sense, a group of young unruly thugs who peddle their violence for profit. They often engaged in the suppression of unions and other workers' organizations and such activities brought them much closer to the conservative elements of the Japanese power structure. A trade union or labour union is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in key areas such as wages hours and working conditions forming During the militarisation of Japan, some of them became the militant wing of Japanese politics known as uyoku (right wing, 右翼), i. Militarism is the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or Uyoku dantai (ja 右翼団体 lit "right wing groups" are Japanese nationalist right-wing groups In Politics, right-wing, the political right, and the Right are positions that uphold traditional values and/or authorities e. ultra-nationalists.

Unlike more traditional yakuza, uyoku did not maintain territories—they leveraged their violence for political gain. The most famous group before World War II was the Kokuryū-kai (黒龍会), or Black Dragon Society. The was a prominent Paramilitary, ultra- Nationalist Right-wing group in Japan. The Kokuryu-kai was a secret ultra-nationalist umbrella organization whose membership was composed of government officials and military officers as well as many martial artists and members of the Japanese underworld who engaged in political terrorism and assassination. For the fictional company set in the Resident Evil videogame series see Umbrella Corporation. Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion They also provided espionage services for the Japanese colonial government. refers to the Ideology in the Empire of Japan that Militarism should dominate the political and social life of the nation and that the strength of the military is Kokuryū-kai engaged in contraband operations including the Chinese opium trade, as well as prostitution and gambling overseas which provided them with funds as well as information. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Opium is a Narcotic formed from the Latex (ie sap released by lacerating (or "scoring" the immature seed pods of opium poppies (

During the post-War rationing, the yakuza controlled the black market much in line with traditional tekiya operations. At the same time, they also moved into controlling major sea ports as well as the entertainment industry. The biggest yakuza umbrella group, the Yamaguchi-gumi, emerged in the Kansai region, which had a large entertainment industry in the city of Osaka as well as a major sea port in Kobe. is Japan 's largest and most infamous Yakuza organization and is named after founder Harukichi Yamaguchi. The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan 's main island Honshū. is a city in Japan, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshū is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture and a prominent port city in Japan with a population of about 1 American occupation forces fought against them in vain and conceded defeat in 1950. Yakuza also adapted to a more western style, including wearing clothing reminiscent of US gangsters, and began to use firearms. At this point, tekiya and bakuto no longer confined themselves to their traditional activities and expanded into any venture they found profitable. At the same time gurentai began to adopt traditional roles of tekiya and bakuto. They also began to feud among themselves, jockeying for power and prestige.

In the 1960s, Yoshio Kodama, an ex-nationalist, began to negotiate treaties with various groups, first with the Yamaguchi-gumi of Kazuo Taoka and Tōsei-kai of Hisayuki Machii and eventually with the Inagawa-kai. Yoshio Kodama (児玉誉士夫 Kodama Yoshio; February 18, 1911 - January 17, 1984) was a prominent figure in the rise of organized The term nationalism can refer to an Ideology, a sentiment, a form of Culture, or a Social movement that focuses on the Nation is Japan 's largest and most infamous Yakuza organization and is named after founder Harukichi Yamaguchi. was one of the most prominent Yakuza Godfathers Known as the "Godfather of Godfathers" Taoka was third kumicho of the Yamaguchi-gumi Tōa kai (東亜会 is a Japanese Yakuza syndicate with a predominantly Korean membership Hisayuki Machii (町井 久之 Machii Hisayuki; 1923 - September 14 2002, AKA the " Ginza Tiger" or "Ginja Horangi" (긴자 호랑이 (銀座の虎 The Inagawa-kai (稲川会 is the third largest of Japan 's Yakuza groups with approximately 5000 members Fights between individual gangs, however, are ongoing.

Ethnic Korean Yakuza

While Koreans in Japan comprise only 0. Statistics According to the statistics at Immigration Bureau of Japan there were 593489 Koreans in Japan in 2007 5% of the population, they are a prominent part of yakuza, despite or perhaps because Koreans suffer severe discrimination in Japanese society along with burakumin. Burakumin (ja {{linktext 部 落 民}} buraku, tribe + min, people is a term often used to describe a Japanese social Minority group. ^[9][10]. In early 1990s, 18 of 90 top bosses of Inagawa-kai were ethnic Koreans. The Inagawa-kai (稲川会 is the third largest of Japan 's Yakuza groups with approximately 5000 members National Police Agency (Japan) suggested Koreans comprised 10% along with 70% of burakumin in Yamaguchi-gumi. The is an agency administered by the National Public Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office in the Cabinet of Japan, and is the central coordinating is Japan 's largest and most infamous Yakuza organization and is named after founder Harukichi Yamaguchi. ^[9] Some of the representatives of the designated Bōryokudan are also. Bōryokudan (暴力団 literally "violence group" is the term used by the Japanese Police to describe the Organized crime groups commonly known ^[11] The Korean significance had been an untouchable taboo in Japan and one of the reasons that the Japanese version of Kaplan and Dubro's Yakuza (1986) had not been published until 1991 with deletion of Korean-related description such as the component of Yamaguchi-gumi. ^[12] Although Japanese-born people of Korean ancestry are a significant segment of the Japanese population, they are still considered resident aliens because of their nationality. But Koreans, who are often shunned in legitimate trades, are embraced by the Japanese yakuza precisely because they fit the group's "outsider" image.

The man who paved the way for Korean-Japanese in Japanese by organizing Tōsei-kai was the Korean-Japanese yakuza godfather Hisayuki Machii. Tōa kai (東亜会 is a Japanese Yakuza syndicate with a predominantly Korean membership Hisayuki Machii (町井 久之 Machii Hisayuki; 1923 - September 14 2002, AKA the " Ginza Tiger" or "Ginja Horangi" (긴자 호랑이 (銀座の虎 ^[13] Born Chong Gwon Yong in 1923 in Korea under Japanese rule, Machii was an ambitious street hood who saw opportunity in Japan and seized it. Korea under Japanese rule refers to the period between 1910 and 1945 when Korea was forcibly annexed by the Japanese Empire. After the Japanese surrender, Machii worked with the United States Counter Intelligence Corps, which valued his staunch anti-communist beliefs. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Anti-communism refers to opposition to Communism. Historically the word "communism" has been used to refer to several types of communal social organization and While leaders of the Japanese yakuza were imprisoned or under close scrutiny by the American occupying forces, the Korean yakuza were free to take over the lucrative black markets. But rather than trying to rival the Japanese godfathers, Machii made alliances with them, and throughout his career, he remained close to both Kodama and Taoka. ^[13]

In 1948 Machii established the Tosei-kai (Voice of the East Gang) and soon took over Tokyo's Ginza district, the Times Square of Japan's capital. The Tosei-kai became so powerful in Tokyo that they were known as the "Ginza police," and even the Yamaguchi-gumi's all-powerful Taoka had to cut a deal with Machii to allow that group to operate in Tokyo. Machii's vast empire included tourism, entertainment, bars and restaurants, prostitution, and oil importing. Prostitution is the act of performing Sexual activity in exchange for Money. He and Kodama made a fortune on real estate investments alone. More importantly, he brokered deals between the Korean government and the yakuza that allowed Japanese criminals to set up rackets in Korea, a country that had been victimized by the Japanese for many years. Thanks to Machii, Korea became the yakuza's home away from home. Befitting his role as fixer between the underworlds of both countries, Machii was allowed to acquire the largest ferry service between Shimonoseki, Japan, and Busan, South Korea—the shortest route between the two countries. is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It is at the southwestern tip of Honshū, facing the Tsushima Strait and also Kitakyushu

In the mid-1960s, pressure from the police forced Machii to officially disband the Tosei-kai. He formed two supposedly legitimate organizations around this time, the Toa Sogo Kigyo (East Asia Enterprises Company) and Toa Yuai Jigyo Kumiai (East Asia Friendship Enterprises Association), which became fronts for his criminal activities. Tōa kai (東亜会 is a Japanese Yakuza syndicate with a predominantly Korean membership A front organization is any entity set up by and controlled by another organization such as intelligence agencies, Organized crime groups banned organizations religious He was widely believed to have helped the Korean Central Intelligence Agency kidnap then-leading Korean opposition leader Kim Dae Jung from a Tokyo hotel (see kidnapping of Kim Dae-Jung). The National Intelligence Service ( NIS) is the chief Intelligence agency of South Korea. Kim Dae-jung (Born December 3, 1925, kim tɛdʑuŋ is a former South Korean president and the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize recipient The South Korean Dissident leader Kim Dae-jung, later President of South Korea, was kidnapped on August 8, 1973 Kim was whisked out to sea where he was bound, gagged, blindfolded and fitted with weights so that his body would never surface. The execution by drowning was abruptly cancelled when an aircraft buzzed the ship, and Kim was mysteriously delivered to his neighborhood in Seoul. American intervention is said to have saved his life. A police investigation revealed that Machii's people had rented every other room on the floor of the hotel where Kim had been staying, but Machii was never charged with any crime in connection with kidnapping. Machii "retired" in his 80s and was frequently seen vacationing in Hawaii. The State of Hawaii ( or həˈwaɪʔiː Hawaiian: Mokuāina o Hawaii) is a state in the United States located on an Archipelago in the He died on September 14, 2002. Events 81 - Domitian becomes Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar.

Also, Tokutaro Takayama was the kaicho of the Fourth Aizukotetsu yakuza gang. was the kaicho (会長 of the Fourth Aizukotetsu (四代目会津小鉄 (present name is Fifth Aizukotetsu-kai (五代目会津小鉄会 Yakuza gang An ethnic Korean, he rose to power as the head of the Kyoto-based gang until his retirement in the 1990s.

Organization and activities

The Yakuza are a popular subject in films

Structure

Yakuza hierarchy

During the formation of the yakuza, they adopted the traditional Japanese hierarchical structure of oyabun-kobun where kobun (子分; lit. A crime boss is a person in charge of a Criminal organization. foster child) owe their allegiance to the oyabun (親分; lit. foster parent). In a much later period, the code of "jingi" (仁義, justice and duty) was developed where loyalty and respect are a way of life. The oyabun-kobun relationship is formalized by ceremonial sharing of sake from a single cup. This ritual is not exclusive to the yakuza — it is also commonly performed in traditional Japanese Shinto weddings, and may have been a part of "sworn brotherhood" relationships. is the native religion of Japan and was once its State religion.

During the World War II period in Japan, the more traditional tekiya/bakuto form of organization declined as the entire population was mobilised to participate in the war effort and society came under strict military government. However, after the war, the yakuza adapted again.

Prospective yakuza come from all walks of life. The most romantic tales tell how yakuza accept sons who have been abandoned or exiled by their parents. Many yakuza start out in junior high school or high school as common street thugs or members of bōsōzoku gangs. is a Japanese Subculture associated with Motorcycle clubs and gangs. Some yakuza "goons" are actually mentally handicapped, but recruited due to their large physiques. Perhaps because of its lower socio-economic status, numerous yakuza members come from Burakumin and ethnic Korean backgrounds. Burakumin (ja {{linktext 部 落 民}} buraku, tribe + min, people is a term often used to describe a Japanese social Minority group. The leadership levels of yakuza gangs usually consist of very sharp, cunning, intelligent men, as the process to rise to the top-levels in the yakuza can be very competitive and Machiavellian.

Yakuza groups are headed by an Oyabun or Kumichō (組長, family head) who gives orders to his subordinates, the kobun. In this respect, the organization is a variation of the traditional Japanese senpai-kōhai (senior-junior) model. and are an essential element of Japanese age-based status relationships similar to the way that family and other relationships are decided based on age with even twins being divided and are an essential element of Japanese age-based status relationships similar to the way that family and other relationships are decided based on age with even twins being divided Members of yakuza gangs cut their family ties and transfer their loyalty to the gang boss. They refer to each other as family members - fathers and elder and younger brothers. The Yakuza is populated almost entirely by men, and there are very few women involved who are called "o-nee-san" (お姉さん older sister). When the Yamaguchi-gumi (Family) boss was shot in the late nineties, his wife took over as boss of Yamaguchi-gumi, albeit for a short time.

The Yakuza have a very complex organizational structure. There is an overall boss of the syndicate, the kumicho, and directly beneath him are the saiko komon (senior advisor) and so-honbucho (headquarters chief). The second in the chain of command is the wakagashira, who governs several gangs in a region with the help of a fuku-honbucho who is himself responsible for several gangs. The regional gangs themselves are governed by their local boss, the shateigashira. [1]

Each member's connection is ranked by the hierarchy of sakazuki (sake sharing). Kumicho are at the top, and control various saikō-komon (最高顧問, senior advisors). The saikō-komon control their own turfs in different areas or cities. They have their own underlings, including other underbosses, advisors, accountants and enforcers. Those who have received sake from oyabun are part of the immediate family and ranked in terms of elder or younger brothers. However, each kobun, in turn, can offer sakazuki as oyabun to his underling to form an affiliated organisation, which might in turn form lower ranked organisations. In the Yamaguchi-gumi, which controls some 2500 businesses and 500 yakuza groups, there are even 5th rank subsidiary organisations.

Rituals

A Dowa Yakuza member's "Irezumi" showing a fierce tiger. Often, these tattoos are used to represent a desired or possessed characteristic such as wealth and bravery.

Yubitsume, or finger-cutting, is a form of penance or apology. Yubitsume ( Japanese 指詰め literally "finger shortening" is a Japanese ritual to atone for offenses to another a way to be punished or to show sincere Upon a first offense, the transgressor must cut off the tip of his left little finger and hand the severed portion to his boss. Sometimes an underboss may do this in penance to the oyabun if he wants to spare a member of his own gang from further retaliation. A crime boss is a person in charge of a Criminal organization. Its origin stems from the traditional way of holding a Japanese sword. The bottom three fingers of each hand are used to grip the sword tightly, with the thumb and index fingers slightly loose. The removal of digits starting with the little finger moving up the hand to the index finger progressively weakens a person's sword grip. The idea is that a person with a weak sword grip then has to rely more on the group for protection — reducing individual action. In recent years, prosthetic fingertips have been developed to disguise this distinctive appearance. When the British cartoon Bob the Builder was first considered for import to Japan, there were plans in place to add an extra digit to each of the title character's four-fingered hands to avoid scaring children. Bob the Builder is a Children's television character created by Keith Chapman. The same thing was also considered for the show Postman Pat. Postman Pat is a British Stop-motion animated Children's television series produced by Woodland Animations. ^[14]

Many Yakuza have full-body tattoos. These tattoos, known as irezumi in Japan, are still often "hand-poked," that is, the ink is inserted beneath the skin using non-electrical, hand-made and hand held tools with needles of sharpened bamboo or steel. Irezumi (入れ墨 入墨 紋身 刺花 剳青 黥 or 刺青 is a Japanese word that refers to the insertion of ink under the skin to leave a permanent usually The procedure is expensive and painful and can take years to complete. ^[15]

Yakuza in prison sometime perform pearlings: for each year spent in prison one pearl is inserted under the skin of the penis. Pearling or genital beading is a form of Body modification, the practice of permanently inserting small Beads made of various materials beneath the The penis (plural penises, penes

When yakuza members play Oicho-Kabu cards with each other, they often remove their shirts or open them up and drape them around their waists. Oicho-Kabu (おいちょかぶ is a traditional Japanese Gambling game similar to the Western games Blackjack and Baccarat. This allows them to display their full-body tattoos to each other. This is one of the few times that yakuza members display their tattoos to others, as they normally keep them concealed in public with long-sleeved and high-necked shirts.

Another prominent yakuza ritual is the sake-sharing ceremony. This is used to seal bonds of brotherhood between individual yakuza members, or between two yakuza groups. For example, in August 2005 , the Godfathers Kenichi Shinoda and Kazuyoshi Kudo held a sake-sharing ceremony, sealing a new bond between their respective gangs, the Yamaguchi-gumi and the Kokusui-kai. also known as is the sixth and current kumicho (supreme Godfather) of the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan 's largest Yakuza organization was a Japanese organized crime figure He was the 4th head of the Kokusui-kai, a Tokyo -based Yakuza gang is Japan 's largest and most infamous Yakuza organization and is named after founder Harukichi Yamaguchi. The Kokusui-kai ("Patriotic Society" (國粹会 founded in 1958 is a Tokyo -based Yakuza organization with an estimated 500 members

Principal families

Although yakuza membership has declined following an antigang law aimed specifically at yakuza and passed by the Japanese government in 1992, there are thought to be more than 87,000 active yakuza members in Japan today. Although there are many different Yakuza groups, together they form the largest organized crime group in the world. Most yakuza members belong to four principal families (see below. )

Principal families	Description	Their Mon (crest)
Yamaguchi-gumi (六代目山口組, Rokudaime Yamaguchi-gumi, Yamaguchi-gumi ?)	Created in 1915, the Yamaguchi-gumi is the biggest yakuza family with more than 39,000 members divided into 750 clans (thus making up 45% of all yakuza in Japan. ( plural mon) also,, and, are Japanese heraldic symbols Mon may refer to any symbol while is Japan 's largest and most infamous Yakuza organization and is named after founder Harukichi Yamaguchi. is Japan 's largest and most infamous Yakuza organization and is named after founder Harukichi Yamaguchi. ) Despite more than one decade of police repression, the Yamaguchi-gumi has continued to grow. From its headquarters in Kobe, it directs criminal activities throughout Japan. is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture and a prominent port city in Japan with a population of about 1 It is also involved in operations in Asia and the United States. Shinobu Tsukasa, also known as Kenichi Shinoda, is the Yamaguchi-gumi's current oyabun. also known as is the sixth and current kumicho (supreme Godfather) of the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan 's largest Yakuza organization A crime boss is a person in charge of a Criminal organization. He follows an expansionist policy, and has increased operations in Tokyo (which has not traditionally been the territory of the Yamaguchi-gumi. officially, is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and located on the eastern side of the main island Honshū. )	Yamabishi (山菱), the Mon of the Yamaguchi-gumi
Sumiyoshi-rengo (住吉会), sometimes known as Sumiyoshi-kai (住吉会)	The Sumiyoshi-rengo is the second largest yakuza family, with 10,000 members divided into 177 clans. Sumiyoshi-kai (住吉会 sometimes referred to as Sumiyoshi-rengō (住吉連合 is the second-largest Yakuza group in Japan with an estimated 10000 members The Sumiyoshi-kai, as it is sometimes called, is a confederation of smaller yakuza groups. Its current oyabun is Shigeo Nishiguchi. Structurally, Sumiyoshi-kai differs from its principal rival, the Yamaguchi-gumi, in that it functions like a federation. The chain of command is more lax, and although Shigeo Nishiguchi is always the supreme oyabun, its leadership is distributed among several other people.
Inagawa-kaï (稲川会)	The Inagawa-kaï is the third largest yakuza family in Japan, with roughly 7,400 members divided into 313 clans. The Inagawa-kai (稲川会 is the third largest of Japan 's Yakuza groups with approximately 5000 members It is based in the Tokyo-Yokohama area and was one of the first yakuza families to expand its operations to outside of Japan. Its current oyabun is Kakuji Inagawa. Kakuji Inagawa (稲川 角二 Inagawa Kakuji) also known as Seijō Inagawa (稲川 聖城 Inagawa Seijō; November 1914 – December 22,
Toua Yuai Jigyo Kummiai (東亜友愛事業組合), sometimes called Tōa-kai (東亜会)	Founded by Hisayuki Machii in 1948, the Tao Yuai Jigyo Kummiai yakuza family quickly became one of most influential yakuza groups in Tokyo. Tōa kai (東亜会 is a Japanese Yakuza syndicate with a predominantly Korean membership Hisayuki Machii (町井 久之 Machii Hisayuki; 1923 - September 14 2002, AKA the " Ginza Tiger" or "Ginja Horangi" (긴자 호랑이 (銀座の虎 officially, is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and located on the eastern side of the main island Honshū. It is composed of yakuza of Korean origin, and numbers more than 1,000 divided into 6 clans. Its current oyabun is Satoru Nomura.

Current activities

In Japan

Much of the current activities of the yakuza can be understood in the light of their feudal origin. First, they are not a secret society like their counterparts of the Italian mafia and Chinese triads. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra) is a Sicilian Criminal Secret society which is believed to have first developed in the mid-19th century China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Triad ( also known as) is a term that describes many branches of Chinese underground society and/or organizations based in Hong Kong and Macau and also Yakuza organizations often have an office with a wooden board on the front door, openly displaying their group name or emblem. Members often wear sunglasses and colourful suits so that their profession can be immediately recognized by civilians (katagi). Even the way many Yakuza walk is markedly different from ordinary citizens. Their arrogant, wide gait is markedly different from the quiet, unassuming way many Japanese go about their business. Alternatively, Yakuza can dress more conservatively and flash their tattoos to indicate their affiliation when the need arises. On occasion they also sport insignia pins on their lapels. One Yakuza family even printed a monthly newsletter with details on prisons, weddings, funerals, murders, and poems by leaders.

Until recently, the majority of yakuza income came from protection rackets in shopping, entertainment and red-light districts within their territory. This is mainly due to the reluctance of such businesses to seek help from the police. The Japanese police are also reluctant to interfere in internal matters in recognized communities such as shopping arcades, schools/universities, night districts and so on. In this sense, yakuza are still regarded as semi-legitimate organizations. For example, immediately after the Kobe earthquake, the Yamaguchi-gumi, whose headquarters are in Kobe, mobilised itself to provide disaster relief services (including the use of a helicopter), and this was widely reported by the media as a contrast to the much slower response by the Japanese government. The Great Hanshin Earthquake, or Kobe earthquake as it is more commonly known outside of Japan, was an Earthquake in Japan that occurred on Tuesday is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture and a prominent port city in Japan with a population of about 1 For this reason, many yakuza regard their income and hustle (shinogi) as a collection of a feudal tax.

Yakuza are heavily involved in sex-related industries, smuggling pornography from Europe and America into Japan. Pornography or porn is the explicit depiction of Sexual subject matter with the sole intention of sexually exciting the viewer They also control large prostitution rings throughout the country. In China, where the law restricts the amount of children per household and the cultural preference is for boys, the yakuza can buy unwanted girls for as little as $5,000 and put them to work in the mizu shōbai, which means 'water trade' and refers to the night entertainment business, in yakuza-controlled bars, nightclubs and restaurants. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Mizu shōbai (水商売 or the water trade, is the traditional euphemism for the night-time entertainment business in Japan, provided by Geisha The Philippines are another source of young women. The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP Yakuza trick girls from impoverished villages into coming to Japan, where they are promised respectable jobs with good wages. Instead, they are forced into becoming prostitutes and strippers. Often the girls succumb to the demands of their pimps, since they are earning more money than they ever could in the Philippines. [2]

The alleys and streets of Shinjuku are a popular modern Tokyo Yakuza hangout. is one of the 23 Special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative center housing the busiest train station in the world ( Shinjuku Station

Yakuza frequently engage in a uniquely Japanese form of extortion, known as sōkaiya (総会屋). (sometimes also translated as corporate bouncers, meeting-men, or corporate blackmailers) are a form of specialized Racketeer unique to Japan In essence, this is a specialized form of protection racket. Instead of harassing small businesses, the yakuza harasses a stockholders' meeting of a larger corporation. They simply scare the ordinary stockholder with the presence of yakuza operatives, who obtain the right to attend the meeting by a small purchase of stock. They also engage in simple blackmail, obtaining incriminating or embarrassing information about a company's practices or leaders. Once the yakuza gain a foothold in these companies, they will work for them to protect the company from having such internal scandals exposed to the public. Some companies still include payoffs as part of their annual budget.

The Yakuza have a strong influence in Japanese professional wrestling, or puroresu. Professional wrestling, or pro wrestling, is a non-competitive professional Sport, where all matches are scripted by the promotion's booking staff Professional wrestling in Japan is commonly referred to as in Japanese, short for "professional Most of their interest in wrestling activities and promotions is purely financial. The Yakuza have mostly gotten involved by financially supporting wrestling promotions with fading fortunes, or simple business loans. Many venues used by wrestling (arenas, stadiums, and so forth) are owned by or connected to the Yakuza, and as such, when a promotion uses one of their sites, the Yakuza receive a percentage of the gate. The Yakuza as a whole is regarded as a great supporter of both puroresu and MMA. Mixed martial arts (MMA is a full contact Combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques from a mixture of Martial arts traditions and It's not unusual for wrestlers to receive specific instructions on what to do in their matches so as to appeal just to Yakuza members in the crowd. It is thought in Japan that it is safe to say that none of the large wrestling promotions in Japan would fold, because they would be rescued by the Yakuza. The pioneer of wrestling in Japan, Rikidozan, was killed by the Yakuza. better known as Rikidōzan ( Japanese: 力道山 Korean: 역도산 November 14, 1924 - December 15, 1963) Former WWE wrestler Yoshihiro Tajiri was asked to start a Yakuza gimmick, an offer he quickly refused, fearing that he would be targeted by the real Yakuza. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, is a Japanese Professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in the United States with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Professional wrestler Yoshiaki Fujiwara is often referred to as "Kumicho" (i. is a Japanese Actor, and professional wrestler who has worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling e, "Godfather") and his wrestling promotion was called the Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi. Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Group ( Purofesshonaru-resuringu Fujiwara-Gumi, プロフェッショナルレスリング藤原組 was a Shoot style Professional He often portrays Yakuza figures as an actor on Japanese television comedies and dramas.

Yakuza also have ties to the Japanese realty market and banking, through jiageya (地上げ屋). Jiageya specialize in inducing holders of small real estate to sell their property so that estate companies can carry out much larger development plans. Japan's bubble economy of the 1980s is often blamed on real estate speculation by banking subsidiaries. After the collapse of the Japanese property bubble, a manager of a major bank in Nagoya was assassinated, and much speculation ensued about the banking industry's indirect connection to the Japanese underworld. is the third-largest incorporated city and the fourth most populous urban area in Japan.

Yakuza have been known to make large investments in legitimate, mainstream companies. In 1989 Susumu Ishii, the Oyabun of the Inagawa Alliance (a well known Yakuza group) bought US$ 255 million worth of Tokyo Kyuko Electric Railway's stock. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been The ( also known in Japanese as Tōkyū Dentetsu (東急電鉄 for short is a major private railway operator in the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. [3] Japan's Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission has knowledge of more than 50 listed companies with ties to organized crime, and in March 2008 the Osaka Securities Exchange decided to review all listed companies and expel those with Yakuza ties. The (Hercules 8697 is the second largest Securities exchange in Japan, in terms of amount of business handled ^[16]

As a matter of principle, theft is not recognised as a legitimate activity of yakuza. This is in line with the idea that their activities are semi-open; theft by definition would be a covert activity. More importantly, such an act would be considered a trespass by the community. Also, yakuza usually do not conduct the actual business operation by themselves. Core business activities such as merchandising, loan sharking or management of gambling houses are typically managed by non-yakuza members who pay protection fees for their activities.

There is much evidence of Yakuza involvement in international crime. There are many tattooed Yakuza members imprisoned in various Asian prisons for such crimes as drug trafficking and arms smuggling. In 1997, one verified Yakuza member was caught smuggling 4 kilograms (8. 82 pounds) of heroin into Canada. Heroin ( INN: diacetylmorphine, BAN: diamorphine) is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from Morphine, a derivative In 1999, Italian-American Mafia Bonnano family member, Mickey Zaffarano, was overheard talking about the profits of the pornography trade that both families could profit from. The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra) is a Sicilian Criminal Secret society which is believed to have first developed in the mid-19th century The Bonanno crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within ^[17] Another Yakuza racket is bringing women of other ethnicities/races, especially East European^[18] and Asian^[19] to Japan under the lure of a glamourous position, then forcing the women into prostitution. Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent.

Because of their history as a legitimate feudal organization and their connection to the Japanese political system through the uyoku (extreme right-wing political groups), yakuza are somewhat a part of the Japanese establishment. Uyoku dantai (ja 右翼団体 lit "right wing groups" are Japanese nationalist right-wing groups In the early 80s in Fukuoka, a yakuza war spiraled out of control and a few civilians were hurt. is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and is situated on the northern shore of the island of Kyūshū in Japan, across The police stepped in and forced the yakuza bosses on both sides to declare a truce in public. At various times, people in Japanese cities have launched anti-yakuza campaigns with mixed and varied success. In March 1995, the Japanese government passed the "Act for Prevention of Unlawful Activities by Criminal Gang Members" which made traditional racketeering much more difficult. A racket is an illegal business usually run as part of Organized crime.

In America

Yakuza activity in the United States is mostly relegated to Hawaii, but have made their presence known in other parts of the country. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The State of Hawaii ( or həˈwaɪʔiː Hawaiian: Mokuāina o Hawaii) is a state in the United States located on an Archipelago in the The Yakuza are said to use Hawaii as a way station between Japan and mainland America, smuggling crystal methamphetamine into the country and smuggling back firearms to Japan. They easily fit into the local population, since many tourists from Japan and other Asian countries visit the islands on a regular basis. The Yakuza were estimated to control around 90% of the methamphetamine trade in Hawaii as of 1988. They also work with local gangs, funneling Japanese tourists to gambling parlors and brothels.

In California, the Yakuza have made alliances with local Vietnamese and Korean gangs as well as Chinese triads. Yakuza gangsters have also been spotted in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York City, where they appear to collect finders fees from American mafiosos and businessmen for guiding Japanese tourists to gambling establishments, both legal and illegal. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally The City of New York ^[20]

The FBI suspects that the Yakuza use various operations to launder money in the U. S. ^[16]

In 2001, the FBI's representative in Tokyo arranged for Tadamasa Goto, the head of the group Goto-gumi, to receive a liver transplant in the United States, in return for information of Yamaguchi-gumi operations in the U. The is a Japanese Yakuza gang now active in Tokyo. The gang was originally formed in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture, but moved its activities Liver transplantation or hepatic transplantation is the replacement of a diseased Liver with a healthy liver Allograft. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the S. This was done without prior consultation of the NPA. The is an agency administered by the National Public Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office in the Cabinet of Japan, and is the central coordinating The journalist who uncovered the deal received threats by Goto and was given police protection in the US and in Japan. ^[16]

In Australia

Yakuza presence in Australia at present is minimal, being restricted mainly to the Gold Coast, Queensland, where Yakuza members go to launder money in Gold Coast Casinos, or to extort money from Japanese businesses (mainly tourism). For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. This article is about the Australian city Gold Coast For other uses see Gold Coast. As it stands, the Yakuza have no known permanent stakes in Australia.

In Mexico

Yakuza members can be found anywhere around the world, and also in Mexico, most notably in the illegal immigration business. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. There then were cases in the 90's , a couple of employers recruiting young women across the country (mainly with diplomas of tourism and good English knowledge) promising them work in Japan. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. But upon their arrival in the country, they were in put into a network of prostitution. Some succeeded in escaping and returning to Mexico, where they then informed the authorities. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. The culprits were stopped and condemned, not for prostitution because of the lack of denouncers, but only for illegal immigration. A similar case occurred in Peru. Peru (Perú Piruw Piruw officially the Republic of Peru ( reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu is a country in western South America. According to estimates of the Hispanic women Association (of which the seat is in Miami), nearly 3,000 Mexican women prostitute themselves in Japan, after being recruited by the various clans yakuza. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics.

References

Notes

Internet-based

1. Bruno, A. (2007). "The Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia" CrimeLibrary: Time Warner

Books

• Kaplan, David, Dubro Alec. (1986). "Yakuza" Addison-Wesley (ISBN 0-201-11151-9)
• Kaplan, David, Dubro Alec. (2003). "Yakuza: Expanded Edition" University of California Press (ISBN 0-520-21562-1)
• Hill, Peter B. E. (2003). "The Japanese Mafia: Yakuza, Law, and the State" Oxford University Press (ISBN 0-19-925752-3)
• Johnson, David T. (2001). "The Japanese Way of Justice: Prosecuting Crime in Japan" Oxford University Press (ISBN 0-19-511986-X)
• Miyazaki, Manabu. Manabu Miyazaki is also the name of a Japanese wildlife photographer (2005) "Toppamono: Outlaw. Radical. Suspect. My Life in Japan's Underworld" Kotan Publishing (ISBN 0-9701716-2-5)
• Seymour, Christopher. (1996). "Yakuza Diary" Atlantic Monthly Press (ISBN 0-87113-604-X)
• Saga, Junichi. , Bester, John. (1991) "Confessions of a Yakuza: A Life in Japan's Underworld" Kodansha America
• Schilling, Mark. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. is a book by Japanese doctor and author Junichi Saga (1991 It recounts a series of stories from the life of Eiji Ijichi a former Yakuza boss as told to (2003). "The Yakuza Movie Book" Stone Bridge Press (ISBN 1-880656-76-0)
• Sterling, Claire. (1994). "Thieves' World" Simon & Schuster (ISBN 0-671-74997-8)
• Sho Fumimura (Writer), Ryoichi Ikegami (Artist). (Series 1993-1997) "Sanctuary" Viz Communications Inc (Vol 1: ISBN 0-929279-97-2; Vol 2:ISBN 0-929279-99-9; Vol 3: ISBN 1-56931-042-4; Vol 4: ISBN 1-56931-039-4; Vol 5: ISBN 1-56931-112-9; Vol 6: ISBN 1-56931-199-4; Vol 7: ISBN 1-56931-184-6; Vol 8: ISBN 1-56931-207-9; Vol 9: ISBN 1-56931-235-4)
• Tendo, Shoko (2007). "Yakuza Moon: Memoirs of a Gangster's Daughter" Kodansha International [4] (ISBN 978-4-7700-3042-9)

Documentaries

• Young Yakuza (Jean-Pierre Limosin, 2007)

Selected film references

Main article: Yakuza film

• Tokyo Drifter (Seijun Suzuki, 1966)
• Sympathy for the Underdog (Kinji Fukasaku, 1971)
• Battles Without Honor and Humanity (Kinji Fukasaku, 1973)
• The Street Fighter (1974)
• The Yakuza (Sydney Pollack, 1975)
• Boiling Point (Takeshi Kitano, 1990)
• Minbo (Juzo Itami, 1992) The filmmaker was later attacked and seriously injured by five yakuza members because of the perceived negative portrayal of the Yakuza in the film. Yakuza eiga, or yakuza films, is a popular Film genre in Japanese cinema which focuses on the lives and dealings of Yakuza is a 1966 yakuza Action film directed by Seijun Suzuki. The story follows Tetsuya Watari as the reformed yakuza hitman "Phoenix" born Seitaro Suzuki (鈴木 清太郎 Suzuki Seitarō) on May 24, 1923, is a Japanese Film director. is a 1971 Japanese Yakuza film, directed by Kinji Fukasaku and starring Koji Tsuruta and Noboru Ando. was a Japanese film actor writer and best known as a celebrated and innovative director. is a 1973 Yakuza film by Japanese director Kinji Fukasaku and adapted from a series of newspaper articles by Koichi Iiboshi, a Journalist literally Clash Killer Fist!, is a Japanese Martial arts Film released in 1974 and produced by Toei Company Ltd The Yakuza is a 1975 post– Film noir Gangster film directed by Sydney Pollack, written by Leonard Schrader, Paul Sydney Irwin Pollack ( July 1, 1934 – May 26, 2008) was an American Film director, producer and Actor. Boiling Point ( ３－４Ｘ１０月 ( 3-4X jugatsu, literally "the third and fourth of October" is a 1990 Japanese is a Japanese Filmmaker, Comedian, Actor, Film editor, Presenter, Screenwriter, Author, Poet is a 1992 Japanese film by filmmaker Juzo Itami. It is also known by the titles Minbo the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion, was an actor and (later a popular modern Japanese Film director.
• Sonatine (Takeshi Kitano, 1993)
• American Yakuza (1993)
• Kids Return (Takeshi Kitano, 1996)
• Violent Cop (Takeshi Kitano, 1989)
• Brother (Takeshi Kitano, 2000)
• Ichi The Killer (Takashi Miike, 2001)
• Gozu (Takashi Miike, 2003)
• Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (Quentin Tarantino, 2003)
• The Yakuza Papers, (2006)
• The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
• War, (2007)
• Young Yakuza (2007)

Selected video game references

• Yakuza and Yakuza 2
• Red Steel
• Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions
• Grand Theft Auto 2, Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories
• Tomb Raider: Legend

See also

• Bōsōzoku
• Criminal tattoo
• List of criminal organizations
• Punch perm
• Triads

External links