investigative reporting | January 17, 2026

Are the yakuza rich?

This group is still regarded as being among "the most sophisticated and wealthiest criminal organizations". Primarily Japanese.

How much do yakuza make?

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.

Are the yakuza good?

Yakuza are viewed by some Japanese as a necessary evil, in light of their chivalrous facade, and the organizational nature of their crime is sometimes viewed as a deterrent to impulsive individual street crime.

Do yakuza hurt tourists?

This really shouldn't be a problem at all—the Yakuza, that is, the Japanese mafia, tend to stay away from foreigners (to the point where I've heard amusing stories about foreign guys scaring them off). Most tourists will get around happily without even knowing they are out there.

What business do the yakuza do?

Yakuza are criminal gangs. They participate in many of the same money-making activities as all criminal gangs. Illegal gambling and prostitution are Yakuza hallmarks, while the smuggling of banned goods such as drugs, firearms and pornography is also profitable.

The Richest Criminals Are Worth $80 Billion

Can a foreigner join the yakuza?

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.

Do yakuza carry guns?

Japan's yakuza are putting away their weapons after an unprecedented death sentence was passed on a crime boss. Gangs affiliated with the Yamaguchi-gumi, the country's biggest crime organisation, have been ordered not to use guns “in public” after the conviction of the head of a rival crime group.

How do you join the yakuza?

When a kobun receives sake from an oyabun, they have officially passed their initiation into their yakuza family. At this point they're ranked in a similar way to older or younger brothers. They're also required to cut ties to their real family and swear allegiance to their local boss.

Is Japan nice to foreigners?

Japan is a friendly and welcoming country, steep in history and tradition. While visitors are often amazed at how polite, courteous and gracious the society is, most first-timers may experience some sort of culture shock.

Can you get out of the yakuza?

Unfortunately, no such pathways to reintegration currently exist. Social acceptance is unattainable for most who renounce their membership in organized crime groups. As a result, they have no option but to resort to illegal activity to survive.

How brutal is the yakuza?

Violent yakuza crimes usually involve rivalries between families, but sometimes target civilians. Most crimes in modern times are variations on things the yakuza have been doing for decades - a white collar thrown in for good measure. Unlike other crime syndicates, yakuza operate more or less in the open.

How violent is the yakuza?

Lots of gangster violence in this film The yakuza has traditional managed to avoid violence in it resolutions of conflicts but over the last few years, the gangs have been involved in increasingly violent activities, such as killing bankers who owed the yakuza large sums of money, assaulting reporters and editors who ...

Why can't Japan have an army?

Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution prohibits Japan from establishing a military or solving international conflicts through violence.

Why do yakuza wear suits?

Yakuza wear kimono on special occasions — rituals, important meetings, or for commemoration photos. Thus the kimono serves a dual purpose: as the national costume, it denotes belonging to the Japanese cultural milieu.

Are there yakuza in the US?

In the United States, the Yakuza has been known to be involved in money laundering and drug trafficking. To date, OFAC has designated 21 individuals, 5 criminal syndicates, 2 subsidiary gangs, and 2 companies associated with the Yakuza.

Do Japanese dislike tourists?

Japan's traditional sense of "omotenashi", meaning wholeheartedly looking after guests, is wearing decidedly thin. Residents of many of the nation's must-see tourist spots are increasingly expressing their frustration at loud and disrespectful foreigners, crowded public transport and poor etiquette among visitors.

Are Japanese scared of foreigners?

"The majority of Japanese feel that foreigners are foreigners and Japanese are Japanese," said Shigehiko Toyama, a professor of English literature at Showa Women's University in Tokyo. "There are obvious distinctions. Foreigners who speak fluently blur those distinctions and that makes the Japanese feel uneasy."

What should I avoid in Japan?

If you're planning a trip to Japan, here are a few cultural faux pas you should be aware of.

  • Don't break the rules of chopstick etiquette. ...
  • Don't wear shoes indoors. ...
  • Don't ignore the queuing system. ...
  • Avoid eating on the go. ...
  • Don't get into a bathtub before showering first. ...
  • Don't blow your nose in public. ...
  • Don't leave a tip.

What are the yakuza rules?

Your Five-Point Guide to the Yakuza Code of Ethics

  • Treat your 'oyabun' with respect. ...
  • Don't steal from the everyday man. ...
  • Don't disrupt the harmony of the gang or touch the partner of a fellow member. ...
  • Never involve yourself with drugs. ...
  • Always act chivalrously.

What do Japanese call foreigners?

Gaijin (外人, [ɡai(d)ʑiɴ]; "outsider", "alien") is a Japanese word for foreigners and non-Japanese citizens in Japan, specifically non-East Asian foreigners such as white and black people. The word is composed of two kanji: gai (外, "outside") and jin (人, "person").

How do yakuza get tattoos?

Not just any old yakuza can get a tattoo

If the master decides you're worthy, it's a process that can take up to a year to complete in weekly sessions at a cost of around £10,000. That's actually one of the ways yakuza would attract younger members, according to Anton.

Are yakuza trained in martial arts?

While the Yakuza was trained in martial arts and were more disciplined because of it, they credited the Mafia's victory to the simplicity of their weapons.

Do the yakuza use katanas?

Katana is a weapon. In modern Japan, Yakuza gangs (partly because of the strict gun laws; discharging a gun may get you a life in prison in Japan) still use katanas with great efficiency and people still lose their heads in Kabukicho district in Tokyo.

Are yakuza in the UK?

Japanese Yakuza gangs and the Italian Mafia have also established themselves in Britain, primarily via money-laundering.