The Yakuza is a complex and formidable criminal force within Japan. Distinguished by their distinctive tattoos and stringent moral code, Yakuza members hold membership in one of the world’s most affluent criminal networks. Their criminal reputation mirrors that of the Mafia, elevating them to a select echelon within the realm of criminal enterprises. They have dominated Japan’s criminal landscape for centuries, extending to parts of China and Korea during the 20th century.
Yakuza’s fascinating history and popular portrayals in movies such as Fast and the Furious give rise to a question. Is the Yakuza still active in Japan?
What Is The Yakuza in Japan?
The Yakuza have long held a dominant position in Japan’s criminal landscape. Their activities encompass a wide range of illicit practices, including extortion, prostitution, trafficking, violent offenses, and, more recently, white-collar schemes.
Interestingly, amidst their notoriety, numerous tales and myths narrate instances of Yakuza aiding and safeguarding ordinary citizens. In a remarkable display of this dual nature, the Yamaguchi-gumi Yakuza, the largest Yakuza “family,” notably extended substantial disaster relief in the aftermath of the 1995 Kobe earthquake.
Multiple Yakuza syndicates collaborate, each specializing in distinct areas and adhering to its own hierarchical structure. Presently, the Yakuza’s influence is not as far-reaching as in the past, yet they remain a significant presence in Japanese urban culture. They are often perceived as a haven for society’s marginalized and ostracized individuals.
This reputation is notably linked to their well-known code of ethics. Among these principles are refraining from stealing from ordinary citizens and embodying chivalrous behavior. Violating these tenets can result in severe consequences administered by fellow Yakuza members.
Does The Yakuza Still Exist?
Much like the Mafia, the Yakuza operates through seemingly legitimate enterprises. Nonetheless, their main revenue streams are derived from illicit activities. Reports unveil instances of the Yakuza engaging in bribery of politicians for contract approvals, fraudulent stock transactions, and the management of Japanese music icons.
Despite Yakuza’s pervasive influence, a crackdown by Japanese law enforcement agencies has curtailed their operations substantially. The National Police Agency of Japan’s 2021 report disclosed a total of 23,000 members by the end of the year, a decrease of approximately 1,800 members compared to 2020. This is a far cry from their peak in the early 1960s when they could mobilize over 184,000-foot soldiers nationwide.
In 1991, a law was enacted to prohibit Yakuza involvement in legitimate businesses. This stance was reinforced in 2011 with ordinances that imposed severe penalties on those engaging with or financially supporting Yakuza. Fukuoka’s government even initiated a program to aid Yakuza members seeking to transition to lawful employment.
The decline in numbers is attributed to changing perceptions among younger generations who no longer see Yakuza as an appealing career path. Additionally, existing members are aging, and legal reforms have empowered the police to rein in the gangs. Certain Yakuza groups even struggle to meet member wages due to shrinking earnings.
Despite these setbacks, the Yakuza and their criminal enterprises retain a foothold. The most prominent group, the Yamaguchi-Gumi, currently headed by Kenichi Shinoda, boasts around 8,000 members and concentrates on gambling, trafficking, and the sex trade. Notably, some Yamaguchi-gumi members still rank among the world’s wealthiest criminals.
Interestingly, current Yakuza members exhibit a surprising level of openness about their affiliation. They often participate in Japanese festivals, openly displaying their tattoos, notably during Tokyo’s Sanja Matsuri, where their patriotism is showcased through visible ink.
Yakuza in Japanese History
The yakuza have been in existence for over three centuries. Its origins can be traced back to around 1612 when members’ distinctive attire, hairstyles, and conduct caught the attention of local authorities. The term ‘yakuza’ finds its origins in a Japanese card game known as oicho-kabu, a variation of blackjack. Yakuza is the worst possible hand in the game.
By the 1700s, the yakuza had started forming families, aligning for mutual safeguarding. They ventured into fair and market booths, gaining notoriety for substandard goods and deceptive sales tactics, while also influencing Japan’s gambling culture.
During the 1800s, the yakuza underwent modernization, recruiting members from construction and dock jobs and even controlling the rickshaw business. Their involvement in politics and cooperation with the government granted them official recognition or, at the least, some degree of autonomy.
In the 1900s, postwar American occupation forces identified the yakuza as a significant challenge, recognizing their well-organized structure and government support.
Between 1958 and 1963, influential yakuza leaders gained prominence, leading to a 150 percent increase in group members to 184,000. This period witnessed the emergence of around 5,200 yakuza gangs in Japan, marking territories and sparking violent clashes.
These gangs held sway over diverse enterprises, engaging in sophisticated gambling and loan operations, and investing substantially in sports and entertainment. Their activities extended to drugs, money lending, smuggling, and pornography.
Yakuza Culture and Rituals
Loyalty to the Yakuza takes precedence over all else, prompting members to even sever family ties to demonstrate their allegiance to the organization. Within their hierarchical framework, an Oyabun, or family boss, occupies the highest position. The structured ranks within the Japanese Yakuza play a pivotal role in maintaining the organization’s functionality. Some of the most fascinating Yakuza rituals are:
Yubitsume: Also known as otoshimae or finger amputation, Yubitsume serves as a form of atonement or apology. Upon a first offense, the wrongdoer must sever the tip of their left little finger and offer it to their superior. Occasionally, an underboss may undergo this as a penance to the oyabun, sparing a fellow gang member from retaliation.
However, this practice is diminishing among younger members due to its identification by law enforcement. Its origin lies in the traditional Japanese sword grip, where the bottom three fingers grip the sword tightly. Removing fingers weakens the grip, symbolizing greater reliance on the group for protection.
Irezumi: Numerous Yakuza members adorn themselves with intricate full-body tattoos known as irezumi in Japan. These tattoos are frequently applied using the traditional “hand-poked” method, involving manual insertion of ink beneath the skin using handcrafted tools armed with bamboo or steel needles.
During sessions of Oicho-Kabu cards among Yakuza members, it’s customary for them to remove or partially open their shirts, draping them around their waists. This practice allows them to showcase their extensive tattoos to each other. This setting represents one of the rare instances when Yakuza reveal their tattoos, as they typically remain hidden in public by wearing long-sleeved, high-necked shirts.
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