The tattooed men

Part 17 - The startling power of Japan’s criminal underworld

With an army of 60,000 men, active in Japan, the U.S. (California and Hawaii), South America, Europe, the Philippines, South-East Asia and Australia (Queensland), and an annual turnover to the tune of 1,500 billion Yens (about $13 billion US), Yakuza has been dominating the Land of the Rising Sun for centuries, blessed with an impunity that has allowed its growth to go unchecked.
The roots of this group of criminal, financial and political organizations dates back to the 15th century, the time of feudal castes. More or less organized gangs ("machiyakko", servants of the people) were born around 1612 to counter the arrogance of the samurai’s, who were then dispensing death and fear.
They were shrouded in a Robin Hood-like romantic halo, and gained large popular support. The most prominent among them were the Tekiya and the Bakuto. The former derived from the yashi, groups of peddlers that organized in order to protect their own interests from the dictatorship of the Tokugawa family (1542-1612), absolute rulers of Japan. The Tekiya, with the passing of time, became itinerant swindlers. They lied about their products, deceiving villagers. Lastly, they started to extort money from the places they operated in. The role of the Bakuto was different: they limited themselves to controlling gambling, steering clear of local authorities.
The name currently used to designate the Japanese criminal organizations derives from a game that was popular at the time of the Bakuto, the hanafuga (the game of flowers), and in particular to a losing combination of three cards (8-9-3: yakusa). The Bakuto also originated the tradition of the severed finger (as reparation) and of tattoos over the entire body (as a sign of indelible belonging to the ikka or gumi, the criminal family).
In the second half of the 19th century, the Yakuza began to receive increasing government protection, due to its solid connections with the business world. It bands itself along with the ultranationalists and takes part in a terrorist campaign called "government by murder" distinguished by a long series of political killings, including two Prime Ministers and as many Finance Ministers. Tolerated even by the Americans during the occupation after World War II, the Yakuza gained the strength it needed in order to expand. Hand guns replaced swords, and bosses, following the American example, changed their look: sunglasses, dark suits, white shirts, well-matched ties. They also increased in numbers: between 1958 and 1963, by 150 percent.
"The Yakuza is a group of vertically developed organizations reflecting the patrilinear characteristics of Japanese society," explains John Glenn from the RCMP. The family (ikka) is headed by the oyabun, the father, whom the kobun (sons) swear obedience, loyalty and respect. The name of the ikka, that doesn’t coincide with the name of its boss, has a notable importance and is passed down in accordance with a series of rules that exclude the sons from the circle of heirs. Succession itself is usually announced with a degree of officiality in the underworld. Until 1992, i.e., until the anti-Yakuza law was passed, the agendas of the meetings of the main criminal organizations could easily be found in the classified section of newspapers, or you could receive a kobun’s business card embossed with a logo clearly stating the organization he belonged to and his rank within it.
Like the Mafia, the Yakuza follows a parsimonious ritual in its initiation ceremonies: "Rice, fish, salt and sake are put in a niche on the Scintoist altar at the beginning of the ceremony," says a Yakuza turncoat. "The oyabun drinks first, then he hands his cup to the kobun. The kobun, who’s going to be admitted, drinks from the same cup. Then the torimochinin (organizer of the meeting) warns him about the solemn duties of a kobun: ‘As long as you hold this cup, you’ll have to be loyal to the ikka and serve your oyabun with a son’s piety. Even if your wife and children starve to death, you have to work for the oyabun and for the ikka risking your life. Your duty is to live with this relationship for the rest of your life. Consider your oyabun as your Almighty God. Don’t be afraid of water or fire, and offer yourself spontaneously for any difficult task.’ "
When a rookie member reaches some importance in the hierarchy he’s granted permission to recruit his own affiliates and become a "little" boss. He announces the name of his family and, according to his prestige, he’s allowed to call himself the boss of a "branch family" or of an "independent family"; furthermore, the weaker bosses, leading less powerful families, are constantly on the lookout for occasions to ally with more powerful bosses, thus improving their family’s safety and increasing its status and power. The ikka, or family, has its own name, such as the Sumiyoshiikka in Tokyo, that becomes a symbol of the group’s power and authority.
The group’s hierarchy is complex and articulated. At its summit there is the oyabun, the boss, also known as kumicho, boss of bosses. Then there is the saiko komon, elder advisor, often leading hundreds of men. Then the sohonbucho, the head of the organization’s headquarters. Then the wakagashira, number two, and the fukuhonbucho, assistant. Under the kumicho there are various komon (advisors), shingiin (consultants), kimuchohisho (secretaries), kaikei (accountants) and wakagashirahosa (helpers to number two). There is also a number three (shateigashira), helped by many shateigashirahosa. And finally the shatei (young brothers), and many wakashu (youngsters) or chimpira (soldiers).
After the anti-Yakuza law was enforced, bosses adopted their countermeasures. They even published a handbook inviting their followers to adhere to at least the following four points. First: every gang must become a share company, legally incorporated and with a minimum capital of 5.5 million Yen. Second: the title of boss shall not be used any more. From now on, bosses will be called presidents. Third: Cancel the words gumi and ikka from all documents and business cards, and replace them with kaisha, company. Fourth: change look and car. Out with Mercedes and Rolls Royce, out with the double-breasted suit à la Al Capone, out with golden watches. Better to use Japanese cars and banker’s suits.
"In Canada we noticed few traces of the Yakuza," adds Glenn. "It’s invisible, maybe it’s using our country for some investments." Drug dealing (amphetamines), gambling and money-laundering are the richest entries in Yakuza’s budget. Other activities it’s involved in are the sex trade (prostitution, pornography), moviemaking, weapons dealing, usury and extortion. And it’s ready for everything. On May 22, 1992, three killers tried to murder Juzo Itami, the director of the movie Minbo no onna (A woman against the racket), the story of a Japanese female lawyer defeating the Yakuza with the strength of the law.
Connections with political circles continue to be intense. The scandal that invested the summit of the Liberal-Democratic Party in 1992, charged with being instrumental to the Yakuza, was sensational. So was the affair involving Prescott Bush, brother of the former U.S. president, who unknowingly became a financial consultant to a company connected to the Yakuza.
Many organizations operate in illicit fields. The most powerful is Yamaguchigumi, based in Kobe, in Western Japan. Its symbol is a lozenge-shaped pin that the members of this organization wear on their jacket lapels. Another distinguishing mark are tattoos, covering the entire body. According to Japanese authorities, the Yamaguchigumi numbers 23,000, controlling more than 2,500 businesses and a yearly turnover to the tune of $460 million.
Other important organizations are the Sumiyoshykai, with 7,000 members, and the Inagawakai (6,700 members).

(translated by Emanuele Oriano)

Publication Date: 2001-06-24
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=98