Each country has its own criminals, and some even have mafia syndicates. Despite the high standard of living and the advanced development of modern technology, Japan was no exception, it operates its own mafia - the Yakuza.
History of the Yakuza
The name "yakuza" is taken from the popular card game "oyoto-kabu." This is one of the versions of the game in point, where by the rules you need to collect cards to get a certain number.
The worst deal is considered a combination of cards: eights, nines and triples. In total, they give 20, which means zero points in this game.
The numbers "eight", "nine" and "three" in Japanese are pronounced as "I", "ku", "sa", hence the name of the gang. The message is that even in the most unfortunate scenario, you need to find a way out and win.
According to one version, Japan's largest criminal gang was formed from three communities.
In the XVII century, there was a large reduction in the staff of samurai, as a result of which about five hundred thousand "invincible" fighters were on the street.
All they could do was fight or guard. Left without work and not finding a use for themselves in everyday life, they began to gather in criminal gangs.
Their main “activity” was robbery and attacks on people and settlements. At that time, the police were poorly armed and trained, and their forces were only enough to pacify drunkards and suppress minor conflicts. In the fight against professional samurai, they had no chance.
As a result, mother-yokko - urban hooligans and petty criminals began to fight with the former samurai. At first, their successes were appreciated by the common people, but over time, the mother-yokko began to engage in criminal activity themselves. As a result, they ceased to be different from their former enemies - former samurai.
Another criminal community was tequia. Initially, they were not as cruel and warlike as the expelled samurai and mother-yokko people.
Since ancient times, there have been people in Japan who sell all sorts of mystical potions and potions. At first they were called healers, and then they grouped up, created their own business, and began to be called tekiya (peddlers).
They were engaged in trading not only with "magic means", but also with other goods. They often deceived buyers, slipped them a marriage, and in order to avoid trouble and escape from the anger of people, they united in gangs. This not only protected against claims for low-quality goods, but also from random robbers.
In the ranks of tekiya, a hierarchical system was developed, which is now used by modern yakuza.
Over time, wanting to increase their income, tekiya began to independently maintain order at local bazaars and fairs. They took money from ordinary merchants, and also caught and punished thieves.
The third group that became part of modern yakuza is bakuto. What is noteworthy, they were created by the government itself. They hired clever players and scammers supposedly to entertain workers and small state employees.
Artful swindlers beat the hard workers, and part of their salaries, thus, returned to the state treasury. However, dishonest players began to trade in crime. At first, the government "turned a blind eye to this" because it needed their services.
It was the Bakuto dodgers who were the first to apply special tattoos to the body. They completely covered the back with drawings, which required time and willpower. To remove the phalanx of the finger for offense also came up with bakuto.
Yakuza leaders and hierarchy
The very first leader of the Yakuza was Bandzuyin Chobei. He used to be a samurai, but after his dismissal he opened a game stash, became very wealthy and gained great influence in the city of Edo.
The city authorities ordered him to hire people for construction and repair work. But instead of hired workers, he sent card debtors to construction sites, and took his salary to himself.
In the 80s of the last century, one of the famous leaders of the gang in the city of Shimizu was Jirote. His hallmark was amazing brutality. Conquering new territories, he calmly slaughtered all competitors with their families.
The Yakuza hierarchy is built on the traditional Japanese way: "father - children", "older children - younger children." All "children" among themselves are considered brothers, regardless of blood relationship.
The head of the yakuza bears the title "oyabun" (chief - in translation) and is the most important chief, to whom all members of the gang should obey.
After the head in the gangster hierarchy are: senior adviser, head of headquarters, deputy and personal assistant to the chief. They in turn command other members of the yakuza. The Yakuza system also has undercover advisers, consultants, accountants, and secretaries.
In addition, in the structure of the Yakuza there are senior and junior brigadiers who have left the simple ranks of the gang.
Yakuza willingly accept in their ranks and various social outcasts. Offended by people, the country and the whole world, they gain a special malice and devotion to those who sheltered them.
Sometimes lonely yakuza appear in Japan. These are criminals who did not want to join the already formed clans. However, they very rarely succeed, since the territories have long been divided, and it is almost impossible to recapture them from the clan.
Mafia in action
Yakuza is engaged in a variety of criminal activities. They maintain their brothels, persuade minors to engage in prostitution, abduct people and transport girls to the countries of the East, America and Europe.
They also trade in illegal emigration, robbery and racketeering. Each Yakuza clan is engaged in one specific business.
Almost all small and medium-sized businessmen in Japan at least once encountered the mafia.
The Yakuza control their territory and those who work on it.
The largest Yakuza clan has long been very active in the life of the country. They are engaged in money laundering, invest in various business projects, collect debts and even sometimes interfere with the work of large corporations.
Of all the mafia in the world, the yakuza is the largest and most organized group, consisting of 750 clans.
During the Second World War, the Yakuza lost their significance and were almost destroyed. After the end of hostilities, the surviving members of the Yakuza again began to revive their group.
The main enemy of the Yakuza is not the police and not even the government, but the triad (Chinese mafia). This is an ancient and already traditional feud between two rival mafia.
As for relations with the authorities, the government controls the legal sphere of the country, and the Yakuza - illegal and these two forces try not to enter into open confrontation.
