The Yakuza: History and Background of Japan’s Most Powerful Criminal Gang

The Yakuza were members of large-scale organized criminal syndicates based in Japan, known for their deeply entrenched criminal activities and distinctive cultural identity. Officially referred to as "violent organizations" at the request of Japanese authorities, the Yakuza bear similarities to gangsters or mafia members in the West. Their reputation is tied to strict codes of conduct, an internally hierarchical and feudal structure, and an array of unique ritual practices. Among the most notorious of these customs is *yubitsume*, the ritualistic amputation of part of the left little finger, used as a form of atonement for mistakes or failure within the organization. This physical mark is often a telling sign of membership. Yakuza members were typically described as males in sharp suits, their bodies adorned with elaborate, full-body tattoos, and their hair slicked back in a signature style. They are regarded as one of the most powerful and financially successful criminal groups in the world.

At the height of their influence, the Yakuza wielded considerable power both in Japan and internationally. In the early 1960s, police estimates placed the total Yakuza membership at over 200,000 members, a number that has significantly declined in recent decades. The reduction in their ranks can be attributed to a combination of economic shifts and legal reforms that made it increasingly difficult for the Yakuza to operate as they once had. Despite this, the Yakuza remain involved in a wide variety of criminal enterprises today, ranging from drug trafficking to white-collar crime, and continue to instill fear among many Japanese citizens, who view them as a persistent threat to public safety.