End of the yakuza? Inside Japan's vanishing underworld
Once feared and oddly tolerated, Japan's yakuza are now in rapid decline — with membership dropping to historic lows. But what's replacing them?
In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we trace the fall of the yakuza, from their deep historical roots to modern crackdowns, and explore how younger criminals are moving into the shadows with encrypted apps and online scams.
We also look at the uncomfortable legacy they've left behind — from front companies and nationalist megaphones to the stigma against tattoos that persists in Japanese society today.
Are the yakuza really finished? Or is Japan simply facing a new kind of threat?
Watch the full story, and let us know what you think in the comments.
Chapters:
0:00 Topic overview
1:02 Role in Japanese society
3:15 Things start to fall apart
4:59 Branching out
6:16 Looking ahead
7:34 Sunset on yakuza?
8:54 Outro
Japan Today sources:
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Do you think Japan is better off without the yakuza — or are the criminals replacing them even more dangerous? Let us know in the comments!
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