Shimizu Jirocho (1820–1893) is Japan's most famous yakuza and folk hero. Shimizu's was born Chogoro Yamamoto but changed his name when adopted, a common Japanese practice. His life and exploits were featured in sixteen films between 1911 and 1940.
The leader of any gang or conglomerate of yakuza is known as the oyabun (“boss”; literally “parent status”), and the followers are known as kobun (“protégés,” or “apprentices”; literally “child status”).
At the height of their power, his Yakuza group, Yamaguchi-gumi, were responsible for extreme acts of violence including bulldozing businesses that refused to pay protection money and administering beatings to victims in front of their families, as reports The Guardian.
Their influence and activities remain local. 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.
A gaijin in the organisation? Straight away, the strangest thing is that a foreigner – a gaijin – gets to become a member of a Yakuza family. Not only that, but Lowell quickly rises to become a member with key responsibilities – at one point he becomes the main boss's bodyguard.
One has to say no, because the Yakuza is an exclusive all-male organization. Within the organization many women can have business or managerial positions for different functions while working for the Yakuza but they cannot be members of the Yakuza.
The Yamaguchi-gumi is the largest yakuza family, with about 8,200 members.
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.
On January 26, 1985, Yamamoto sent a team of hitmen to Takenaka's girlfriend's home in Suita. While waiting for an elevator, Takenaka, underboss Katsumasa Nakayama, and one other member of the family were shot dead, sparking a bloody nationwide conflict that came to be known as the Yama–Ichi War.
1. Kazuma Kiryu. Kazuma Kiryu, nicknamed the Dragon of Dojima, is the single most legendary and accomplished character in the Yakuza universe. He is 6'0″ and weighs 80kg (176 lbs) and utilizes a variety of martial arts like wrestling, street fighting, and weapon skill.
1 Kiryu Kazuma
He is the most iconic character not only because he's the protagonist, but also the coolest guy ever. Even as a Yakuza, he has a strict moral code. He seeks to protect his loved ones and help anyone he can, and he can do this all thanks to his superior physical prowess.
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.
Once you complete Togo Atatsuma's task, you may speak to the Yakuza in the alleyway of the town. The first time Ryoba speaks to him, he will give you a free gift. The second time you speak to him and onwards, Ryoba can pay him to do various favors for you.
Sega has formally dropped the Yakuza brand name and replaced it with Like a Dragon. To "more closely align with the Japanese name." Following news that Like a Dragon: Ishin is coming to the West, Sega has confirmed that it is officially dropping the Yakuza name from its fan-favourite RPG series.
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.
The Japanese public recognizes them through their tattoos
For the Yakuza, tattoos are used to recognize members, demonstrate commitment, and boast about their wealth. They are designed using an extremely painful process called irezumi, in which the tattoos are hand-poked.
But yes, in most cases, it's been fairly acceptable to resign from a gang. Unlike some criminal organizations, they're surprisingly understanding. The issue, however, is what's going to happen once you leave.
If the gamblers are all yakuza, they can bet at least ten thousand dollars for one play. Sometimes they make more than a million dollars a day.
The game is set in 80s Japan during the bubble economy - which means that the backdrop is a time of sex, booze and gangsters. Which should be enough to keep kids away from the title.
Some clans have a different structure -- they act as broad alliances that bring many smaller gangs under one umbrella [source: Kaplan]. The key to the hierarchy is the oyabun-kobun relationship, a set of father-son roles that binds all Yakuza clans together.
There is no criminal code for violators. The only penalty is public revelation of a violating company. It is executed if the company doesn't follow warning again within a year after receiving the first warning from the public safety commission. There is no prohibition for close contact with the yakuza in the Tokyo law.
The wives, daughters, and mistresses of the yakuza are not considered true members of the organisation, even though they play an important role within it. To function in this world, they must develop a unique strength and character.
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.
The Kabukicho Street in Tokyo. In conversation with Jake Adelstein, we pass by the historic stomping grounds of the yakuza. The street is covered with fetish clubs, bath houses, love hotels, yakuza-frequented cafes, massage parlours, cheap crash pads, and luxury hotels.