: They adopted a strict "Oyabun-Kobun" (father-son) hierarchy. Cultural Identity and Rituals
: A chivalrous code claiming they help the weak and fight the strong.
The Yakuza represent one of the world's most sophisticated and storied organized crime syndicates. Rooted in centuries of history, they have evolved from street peddlers into powerful corporate-like entities that operate in a unique gray area of Japanese society. Origins and Early History The Yakuza
Since the 1990s, the Japanese government has intensified its crackdown on organized crime.
: The "Sokaiya" practice of extorting corporations by threatening to disrupt shareholder meetings. The Turning Point: Anti-Gang Legislation Rooted in centuries of history, they have evolved
: Numbers have dropped from 180,000 in the 1960s to fewer than 25,000 today. The Future of the Syndicate
: Most members came from the "Burakumin" (outcast) class. The Turning Point: Anti-Gang Legislation : Numbers have
: Elaborate, full-body hand-poked tattoos signify strength and commitment.