Yakuza – organized crime in Japan

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce some facts about Yakuza and countermeasures by the Japanese police.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides some statistics and descriptive explanation about Yakuza and countermeasures by the Japanese police.

Findings

In Japan, there are more than 80,000 regular or associate Yakuza gang members. Yakuza groups are changing their styles and behaviors and adjusting to a changing society. The Japanese government has been tackling organized crime. The two main measures against organized crime are new legislations and “strategic investigation.”

Originality/value

This paper is one of limited literatures written in English which explains the facts about Japanese Yakuza.

Citation

Shikata, K. (2006), "Yakuza – organized crime in Japan", Journal of Money Laundering Control, Vol. 9 No. 4, pp. 416-421. https://doi.org/10.1108/13685200610707653