Anti-Chinese discrimination (also directed at Koreans) is common and goes back before the second world war. But it should not mask the reality that, for the foreseeable future at least, the yakuza still runs Japan's criminal underworld.
Four largest syndicates
The Yamaguchi-gumi is the largest yakuza family, with about 8,200 members. The Sumiyoshi-kai is the second-largest yakuza family, with 4,200 members. Sumiyoshi-kai is a confederation of smaller yakuza groups. Its current head (会長 oyabun) is Isao Seki.
Over time the yakuza have shifted toward white-collar crime, relying more and more on bribery in lieu of violence, and indeed in the early 21st century they were one of the least murderous criminal groups in the world.
Kenichi Shinoda (篠田 建市, Shinoda Ken'ichi, born January 25, 1942), also known as Shinobu Tsukasa (司 忍, Tsukasa Shinobu), is a Japanese Yakuza, the sixth and current kumicho (supreme kingpin, or chairman) of the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan's largest yakuza organization.
While the Yakuza, Japan's organized crime syndicate, often plays a role in movies, they are not likely to target tourists. While in Japan, simply exercise common sense and don't make yourself a target. Keep valuables in a safe place and exercise caution.
The yakuza still regularly engage in an array of criminal activities, and many Japanese citizens remain fearful of the threat these individuals pose to their safety.
There are many cases of Yakuza members leaving in an attempt to live a normal life. One member claims he could not find permanent work when he tried to leave the criminal world, and when he managed to find work as a labourer he was mistreated so badly he eventually returned to a Yakuza organisation.
The men of yakuza follow a strict code of conduct and hierarchy. They sport irezumi (a distinctive style of Japanese tattooing), slick back-combed hair, tailored suits, and are most avidly known for following unconventional rituals like yubitsume, the amputation of the left little finger.
Approximately 5,200 yakuza gangs operating throughout Japan began to stake out their territories and violent gang wars occurred. These gangs controlled many businesses, engaged in sophisticated gambling and loan sharking activities, and invested heavily in sports and other entertainment.
Contrarily, the yakuza are a confederation of criminal syndicates active throughout Japan. According to Japanese law, their status is not illegal: they have offices and a yakuza presence is still noticeable in many cities.
Numbers are shrinking because fewer young people see yakuza as an enviable career path, existing members are aging and earnings are shrinking as a result of a number of legal changes that have given the police far greater powers to bring the gangs under control.
These are the so-called five-year clauses. During that period of probation, former yakuza are treated as associates of organized crime groups and, just like active members, are barred from opening a bank account or renting property in their own name.
The effect on organized crime is that Yakuza syndicates still employ Walther P38 and Tokarev pistols from the 20th century, mainly smuggled in from China, Russia and North Korea.
Members of the Yakuza are strictly prohibited from hurting civilians. It's part of their core rules.
Recruitment is frequently through gambling or in recent years, motorcycle gangs. In the last few decades, yakuza have expanded into drugs and other more serious criminal activity. They have also moved into sophisticated activities.
MAJOR YAKUZA GROUPS AND LEADERS: YAMAGUCHI-GUMI, YOSHIO KODAMA, KENICHI SHINODA,TADAMASA GOTO.
Many have ornate tattoos that often cover the entire body, marking them for life. But unlike the mafia in America, Yakuza don't hide their membership in the mob because it's not illegal in Japan to be a member of organized crime. And they are so much a part of Japanese culture, they parade openly.
Like the mafia, they deal with underworld activities like racketeering, gambling, drug, and prostitution rings. They also protect' communities and neighborhoods in exchange for protection money. But unlike the mafia, the Yakuza are not a secret society.
The Yakuza comprises the major Japanese organized crime syndicates and is engaged in serious criminal activities, including human trafficking, drug smuggling, weapons trafficking, extortion, and white collar crimes.
Yes, you can join the Yakuza as an American. That's because the Yakuza have the traditional Japanese warrior spirit that sees the foreigner as a threat. However, if you succeed, you'll have to carry out criminal activities since it's a criminal group.
Basically no. Yakuza is fundamentally all-men society and value system. The only exception is the wives of the ranking members, especially the big boss. They are called Ane-san.
Do yakuza have wives? Contrary to the Western mafia wives, Yakuza wives have remained outside the sphere of criminal activity in this organized crime structure, limited to the emotionally receptive and financially supportive role.
A Great game but not for kids!
Which should be enough to keep kids away from the title. The story is great, it is about a young guy who is framed for murder and is trying to find his way in the world of the Yakuza, big buisness and trying to figure out what like is about.
If you meet a possible yakuza who is acting aggressive for some reason, get out of there. Just as you would not want some mafia guy developing a grudge with you, you don't want to get on the yakuza's bad side. TLDR; If they tell you they're a Yakuza, run like hell. Get out of the country or go to a police station.
Many have ornate tattoos that often cover the entire body, marking them for life. But unlike the mafia in America, Yakuza don't hide their membership in the mob because it's not illegal in Japan to be a member of organized crime. And they are so much a part of Japanese culture, they parade openly.