The world of "Yakuza" seen by a foreigner

The designated organized crime group Yamaguchi-gum is taken up as Fortune as the world's largest criminal organization with annual income of 8 trillion yenJapanese gangsters, so-called "Yakuza", are attracting great attention from overseas as well. Coherent document movie that clarified the actual situation of such unknown yakuza organization "Japan's Yakuza: Inside the syndicate"The EconomistIt is open to the public.

Japan's Yakuza: Inside the syndicate - YouTube


It was photographer who covered close contacts with yakuzaAnton CusterMr.


"moviesKill · BuildingI was predicting a world where the neck would be flying with a sword like, but the actual yakuza's world was different, "Custer says.


There are at least 50,000 yakuza in Japan and it is counted as one of the world's largest criminal organizations. In the beginning of 2009, a Belgian photographer Anton Custer was allowed to enter the unknown yakuza organization and he accompanied Yakuza for two years.


After 10 months of negotiations, Mr. Custer said that he was allowed to wear close attachment to the yakuza. The man in the center of the picture is the chairman who is the top of the group that Mr. Custer adheres, in the world of yakuza it is called "boss", and he is following the subordinate called "child". When a boss who rarely appears on the front stage goes out, a child is accompanied as a bodyguard. In addition, it seems that this boss allowed us to "take pictures freely".


Yakuza is the word from "8-9-3" which means the worst hand of a card game similar to Blackjack (Cub). Although it is not clear about the origin of the gangster, I am living in the stream of Samurai (Ronin) without a husband in the 17th century. In the 18th century poverty and rootless outlaws came together to form a family (family).


The yakuza world is a strict class society. All the yakuza will have a pseudo-blood relationship.


The bond between the boss and the child who connected the relationship is very strong, the command of the boss is absolute.



Young children are scouted on street. In search of better living, we will establish a pseudo-blood relationship and pledge allegiance to the yakuza organization.


Anton's close group is a territory of Tokyo's Kabukicho, the main business is mediation of prostitution. We also earn drug trafficking, money laundering, gambling and bribery.


The Japanese yakuza is allowed to operate the company.


Therefore, in Japan, a company behind a yakuza called a "front enterprise" is doing business.


Tattoos (tattooes) are the most important points to distinguish between yakuza and appearance.


Tattoo has happened in my life ... ...


Creatures of old Japanese myths are drawn.


Places where ordinary people can tap the tattoo of yakuza are public baths and hot springs. However, it is unlikely to see the gangsters carry illegal weapons such as pistols around the public bath.


Also, missing fingers are also a big feature of yakuza. When you make a mistake, apologize by cutting off your fingers is a practice of the Yakuza world, and the cut fingers are put on a white napkin for a boss.


"However, with missing fingers it seems not to hold swords and golf clubs," Custer said.


In February 2011, Anton who was in Europe received contact from the group of yakuza, it was informed that Mr. Miyamoto's executives were dead, returned to Japan and will enter a funeral.


A funeral is an important ceremony for a yakuza that binds to one another in relationship.


All attendees are mourning and expressing condolences.


Other groups of yakuza will attend the funeral.


Mr. Miyamoto's younger brother Yakuza permitted Mr. Custer to say goodbye to Miyamoto.


Mr. Custer, who was not ready for the mind, he said that he realized that he was in the "sanctuary" where he wanted to interview for a long time at this moment.