Podcast
Questions and Answers
Yakuza is derived from a Japanese card game named what?
Yakuza is derived from a Japanese card game named what?
The goal in Oicho-Kubu is to obtain a score of what?
The goal in Oicho-Kubu is to obtain a score of what?
19
The word Yakuza literally means what?
The word Yakuza literally means what?
Useless hands in society
Believed to have originated in the early 1600s, the Yakuza group now owns approximately how much in assets?
Believed to have originated in the early 1600s, the Yakuza group now owns approximately how much in assets?
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Known for corporate extortion and gambling, the Yakuza ranks among the most what?
Known for corporate extortion and gambling, the Yakuza ranks among the most what?
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What is the Yakuza considered in relation to its influence in Japan?
What is the Yakuza considered in relation to its influence in Japan?
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Most of the 3000 Yakuza organizations are based in what country?
Most of the 3000 Yakuza organizations are based in what country?
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What impact did the Yakuza have on Hawaii and California?
What impact did the Yakuza have on Hawaii and California?
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The origins of Yakuza can be traced back to the early 15th century, when what group terrorized communities?
The origins of Yakuza can be traced back to the early 15th century, when what group terrorized communities?
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Once the servants of Shogun, these eccentric samurai became what during the Tokugawa era?
Once the servants of Shogun, these eccentric samurai became what during the Tokugawa era?
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The Yakuza has been described as networks of what kind of criminals?
The Yakuza has been described as networks of what kind of criminals?
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What term does the Japanese government use to refer to the Yakuza?
What term does the Japanese government use to refer to the Yakuza?
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They believe that their ancestors were what?
They believe that their ancestors were what?
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To this day, many Yakuza members believe they live the way of what?
To this day, many Yakuza members believe they live the way of what?
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These groups are not what?
These groups are not what?
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What other groups are suggested origins of the Yakuza?
What other groups are suggested origins of the Yakuza?
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The common thread among these groups was a background of what?
The common thread among these groups was a background of what?
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Although much of the history is debatable, these groups formed what?
Although much of the history is debatable, these groups formed what?
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The Tekiya are believed to have come from the what?
The Tekiya are believed to have come from the what?
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These outlaw merchants distanced themselves from the what?
These outlaw merchants distanced themselves from the what?
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These groups or families formed relationships known as what?
These groups or families formed relationships known as what?
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What was the role of the Kabun in the Oyabun-Kobun relationship?
What was the role of the Kabun in the Oyabun-Kobun relationship?
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What did the Oyabun control in their relationships?
What did the Oyabun control in their relationships?
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The Bakuto originated during which era?
The Bakuto originated during which era?
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These gamblers were alleged to have been employed by the government to what?
These gamblers were alleged to have been employed by the government to what?
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What illegal activities did the Bakuto sponsor?
What illegal activities did the Bakuto sponsor?
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Both the Bakuto and Tekiya criminal groups survived because of what?
Both the Bakuto and Tekiya criminal groups survived because of what?
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Industrialization of Japan allowed these criminal groups to do what?
Industrialization of Japan allowed these criminal groups to do what?
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What similar role did Yakuza groups provide during labor disputes?
What similar role did Yakuza groups provide during labor disputes?
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This affiliation with the ultraconservative party led to the formation of the what?
This affiliation with the ultraconservative party led to the formation of the what?
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The Uyoku are the nationalists or what?
The Uyoku are the nationalists or what?
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The Uyoku also have strong ties to what?
The Uyoku also have strong ties to what?
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During Japan's industrialization, the Yakuza began to create what?
During Japan's industrialization, the Yakuza began to create what?
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Known as ultranationalists, their violence became more what?
Known as ultranationalists, their violence became more what?
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They murdered two what?
They murdered two what?
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The Yakuza exploited Japan during the what?
The Yakuza exploited Japan during the what?
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Membership rose steadily until what?
Membership rose steadily until what?
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During the American occupation of Japan after the war, food was what?
During the American occupation of Japan after the war, food was what?
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A new kind of Yakuza known as the Gurentai arose, whose members were mostly former what?
A new kind of Yakuza known as the Gurentai arose, whose members were mostly former what?
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Patterning themselves after the American gangster Al Capone, these groups used what to achieve their profits?
Patterning themselves after the American gangster Al Capone, these groups used what to achieve their profits?
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Just like the Italian Mafia, the Gurentai began to dress in what?
Just like the Italian Mafia, the Gurentai began to dress in what?
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After the war, the Allied Command liberated what?
After the war, the Allied Command liberated what?
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The gangsters among the former captives initially controlled the black markets, but the Gurentai took what?
The gangsters among the former captives initially controlled the black markets, but the Gurentai took what?
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Eventually, the Bakuto, Tekiya, Uyoku, and the Gurentai merged and became more what?
Eventually, the Bakuto, Tekiya, Uyoku, and the Gurentai merged and became more what?
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Between 1958 and 1963, the Yakuza ranks rose to what?
Between 1958 and 1963, the Yakuza ranks rose to what?
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More than 5000 gangs in Japan jostled for what?
More than 5000 gangs in Japan jostled for what?
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Epidemic violence and turf wars over profits resulted in a situation similar to the what?
Epidemic violence and turf wars over profits resulted in a situation similar to the what?
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The Yakuza crime group was formalized in the early 1960s through the negotiations of who?
The Yakuza crime group was formalized in the early 1960s through the negotiations of who?
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Yoshio Kadama is a what?
Yoshio Kadama is a what?
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During those years, Kadama dealt in supplies such as what?
During those years, Kadama dealt in supplies such as what?
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Kodama was considered a what?
Kodama was considered a what?
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Upset over the violence, the Allied command later asked Kadama to do what?
Upset over the violence, the Allied command later asked Kadama to do what?
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The largest and most powerful Yakuza group is the what?
The largest and most powerful Yakuza group is the what?
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In 1902, the Yamaguchi-gumi had more than what?
In 1902, the Yamaguchi-gumi had more than what?
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The third Oyabun of this faction, Kazuo Taoka, was responsible for what?
The third Oyabun of this faction, Kazuo Taoka, was responsible for what?
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The Yamguchi-gumi was formed in 1915 in what area?
The Yamguchi-gumi was formed in 1915 in what area?
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Taoka ruled as a what?
Taoka ruled as a what?
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Kobe Harbor was controlled by what?
Kobe Harbor was controlled by what?
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A split within the Tamaguchi gumi saw Hiroshi Yamamoto create which syndicate?
A split within the Tamaguchi gumi saw Hiroshi Yamamoto create which syndicate?
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Bosses became heroes in the public's eyes and were subjects of what?
Bosses became heroes in the public's eyes and were subjects of what?
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The saga of Yoshinori Watanabe illustrates the rise of powerful bosses of the what?
The saga of Yoshinori Watanabe illustrates the rise of powerful bosses of the what?
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The leader of the largest Yakuza clan is who?
The leader of the largest Yakuza clan is who?
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Born in 1941, Watanabe came from a what?
Born in 1941, Watanabe came from a what?
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After finishing middle school, he worked in a what?
After finishing middle school, he worked in a what?
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He later moved to Kobe and became involved with the what?
He later moved to Kobe and became involved with the what?
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When Watanabe joined the Yamaguchi-gumi around 1960, its members were embroiled in a what?
When Watanabe joined the Yamaguchi-gumi around 1960, its members were embroiled in a what?
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When the Yamaguchi-gumi began having troubles in the early 1980s, law enforcement thought this discord could be the what?
When the Yamaguchi-gumi began having troubles in the early 1980s, law enforcement thought this discord could be the what?
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They lost their third boss in 1981 due to a what?
They lost their third boss in 1981 due to a what?
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Watanabe became the fifth boss of the Yamaguchi-gumi in what year?
Watanabe became the fifth boss of the Yamaguchi-gumi in what year?
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During the 1980s, the Yamaguchi-gumi split into what?
During the 1980s, the Yamaguchi-gumi split into what?
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During the 1990s, Watanabe began to drastically change the structure of the what?
During the 1990s, Watanabe began to drastically change the structure of the what?
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The original centralized power structure was split into how many regional groups?
The original centralized power structure was split into how many regional groups?
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Watanabe focused on developing what?
Watanabe focused on developing what?
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The clan's offices expanded from 39 to what?
The clan's offices expanded from 39 to what?
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By 1999, the Yamaguchi-gumi had how many full-time members?
By 1999, the Yamaguchi-gumi had how many full-time members?
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Under Watanabe's leadership, the Yamaguchi-gumi survived what?
Under Watanabe's leadership, the Yamaguchi-gumi survived what?
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Other Yakuza clan bosses were what during this period?
Other Yakuza clan bosses were what during this period?
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The Yamaguchi-gumi grabbed what was left and managed to muscle on the what?
The Yamaguchi-gumi grabbed what was left and managed to muscle on the what?
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Because Watanabe was the most powerful Yakuza boss, police attempts to attack him met with what?
Because Watanabe was the most powerful Yakuza boss, police attempts to attack him met with what?
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Distancing himself from the crimes of his group, he helped raise money and get out the what?
Distancing himself from the crimes of his group, he helped raise money and get out the what?
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Because of Watanabe's political power, it was believed that the police could do little to what?
Because of Watanabe's political power, it was believed that the police could do little to what?
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According to some sources, Watanabe is a simple man who does what?
According to some sources, Watanabe is a simple man who does what?
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Some sources suggest that he sees himself as a what?
Some sources suggest that he sees himself as a what?
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Since the Yakuza provides work for individuals, he thinks of it as a what?
Since the Yakuza provides work for individuals, he thinks of it as a what?
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Watanabe considered that the alternative to the Yakuza solution was what?
Watanabe considered that the alternative to the Yakuza solution was what?
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In the wake of police struggles to control Yakuza activities, by the mid-1960s, smaller groups were absorbed by what?
In the wake of police struggles to control Yakuza activities, by the mid-1960s, smaller groups were absorbed by what?
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Koiki is the term police used to characterize what?
Koiki is the term police used to characterize what?
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These groups became extremely powerful because they operated both in what?
These groups became extremely powerful because they operated both in what?
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By 1992, how many groups were named by the police under a new law against organized crime?
By 1992, how many groups were named by the police under a new law against organized crime?
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In recent years, organized crime crackdowns resulted in a 70% increase in what?
In recent years, organized crime crackdowns resulted in a 70% increase in what?
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Modern Yakuza members are more what?
Modern Yakuza members are more what?
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Research on members indicates that most Yakuza are what?
Research on members indicates that most Yakuza are what?
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The majority join this group because of the what?
The majority join this group because of the what?
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Many members were what?
Many members were what?
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The Yakuza have been active in the United States since when?
The Yakuza have been active in the United States since when?
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It is likely that the Yakuza factions will operate in a similar fashion as they have in what?
It is likely that the Yakuza factions will operate in a similar fashion as they have in what?
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However, these groups are what?
However, these groups are what?
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Study Notes
Yakuza Origins and Meaning
- Yakuza derives from the Japanese card game Oicho-Kabu, similar to blackjack.
- The term literally means "useless hands in society," reflecting the group's outsider status.
Historical Background
- Yakuza origins trace back to the early 15th century with the Kabuki mono, who terrorized communities.
- Early Yakuza members were often Ronin (masterless samurai) who became outlaws during the Tokugawa era.
Criminal Activities
- Yakuza is involved in corporate extortion, gambling, prostitution, and drug trafficking, ranking among the world’s most powerful organized crime groups.
- The group operates as a shadow government in Japan, with strong alliances with other organized crime factions.
Global Presence
- While primarily based in Japan, the Yakuza has established a presence in the United States and across Asia, particularly in Hawaii and California.
- Growing Yakuza activities in the U.S. are anticipated, aligning with other organized crime expansions.
Organizational Structure
- Comprises approximately 3000 groups, characterized by hierarchies and bosses akin to legitimate corporations.
- Members are not limited to familial ties and include diverse backgrounds, often rooted in a history of poverty and delinquency.
Notable Subgroups
- Tekiya emerged from traveling peddlers, while Bakuto originated as gamblers during the Tokugawa period.
- The Gurentai arose post-World War II, particularly from former Japanese militia members.
Evolution Through Decades
- During the industrialization of Japan, Yakuza groups allied with capitalists, providing labor and strike-breaking services.
- By the mid-20th century, membership peaked at approximately 184,000, exceeding the size of the Japanese army.
Key Figures and Leadership
- Yoshio Kadama emerged as a prominent thug during the early Yakuza formation, establishing powerful ties to the Japanese government.
- The Yamaguchi-gumi is the largest Yakuza group, formed in 1915 and led by influential boss Kazuo Taoka, who enhanced its power and influence.
Modernization and Adaptation
- Under the leadership of Yoshinori Watanabe during the late 1980s, the Yamaguchi-gumi restructured into semi-autonomous regional groups.
- Membership rose to 165,000 by 1999, showcasing the organization's resilience amid government crackdowns.
Current Status and Activities
- Yakuza involvement in the U.S. dates back to the mid-1950s, with a focus on money laundering and investment in lucrative markets.
- Increased sophistication and economic motivations characterize modern Yakuza members, many of whom are high school dropouts drawn by perceived glamour.
Law Enforcement Challenges
- Recent years have seen a notable rise in serious crime, attributed to the decline in police effectiveness against Yakuza activities.
- Ongoing corruption within law enforcement complicates efforts to rein in organized crime, leading to a dynamic adaptation of Yakuza operations.
Cultural Perception
- Yakuza members are often glamorized as "folk heroes" in media and public lore, despite their criminal activities.
- The organization maintains its image through strong community ties and the facade of social responsibility among members.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge on Chapter 8 of The Yakuza. This quiz covers key terms and concepts, such as the origins of the name 'Yakuza' and the card game Oicho-Kabu. Challenge yourself with flashcards designed to reinforce your understanding of organized crime in Japanese culture.
