Yamaguchi-gumi number two arrested
Just some quick news: Kiyoshi Takayama, second in command of the Yamaguchi-gumi, was arrested Thursday during a raid of his home in Kobe. Read here and here. More information to…
Explosion rocks Yamaken-gumi office, gang claims no video footage
As many who are up on their Japan news probably saw, there was an explosion Monday morning at an office owned by the Yamaguchi-gumi affiliated Yamaken-gumi. Thus far, the Mainichi…
Playing the yakuza puppet master in "The Yakuza Diaries"
For all those who spent hours as a child delightfully flipping to page 28, back to page 11, then on to page 19 to discover their fate in the popular…
Eikaiwa Underworld: Lessons Taught, Lessons Learned
By Jason Gray Early 2004. When teaching conversational English, at least in Japan, fascinating students are a rarity. This isn’t necessarily because there aren’t interesting people who want to learn…
Habakarinagara: An interview with Tadamasa Goto
Perhaps to promote his new book, Habakarinagara (憚りながら), Tadamasa Goto has been looking for some time in the limelight, apparently granting this interview on Yomiuri TV’s Takashin no Sokomade Itte…
Yakuza Review The Sega Video Game "Yakuza 3"
The Yakuza video game series from Sega has been tremendously popular in the United States and in Japan but what do the yakuza themselves think of the game? I asked.…
Yamaguchi-gumi members arrested in sumo scandal! But how far can the cops go?
It does appear, at least, that the Yamaguchi-gumi seems to have one of their people inside the sumo association to keep things quiet and has grudging or willing help from…
Nichidai board chairman plays matchmaker with Sumo Association and NPSC reps
An article in the July 22 issue of Shukan Bunshun (武蔵川と中井洽疑惑の参院選で「料理停密会」page 146) reports on a suspicious meeting between the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, Musashigawa, and National Public Safety…
Not a good week for the big guys
In unusual yakuza-related news, April 23 saw the sentencing of an ex-Yamaguchi-gumi higher up for a crime that’s worth a chuckle. According to Sankei News, You Inaba, 43, was sentenced…
Things you never wanted to know about the yakuza, but the Japanese just had to ask
Ever have a nagging question about the yakuza you hoped to have answered but didn’t know where to ask? Know that you’re not alone–even Japanese people themselves find the group…