Yakuza and Police: Power and Corruption in Urban Japan

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Outline
Yakuza VS Police Something very dangerous and powerful is taking over and controlling many lives in Urban Japan. To endure today's understanding in human communication between culture and a co-culture through the social norms and to identify which culture experienced any issues, good or bad. This lecture will first explore the History behind Yakuza. Then we will talk about the their unique culture & traditions. Next, we will observe the political involvement and good acts of the Yakuza gang. Finally, we will follow corruption issues and the power struggle between Yakuza and the Tokyo Police. I. History & Culture
A. History: Decedents of Ronin or Gamblers?
(Kyle: History)
Much of the Yakuza history seems to be an oral history. …show more content…

Within the Yakuza culture there exist a dynamic hierarchy and unique code of ethics. (Angelica – Yakuza Culture) The yakuza function by keeping disagreements and disputes between themselves and by keeping the families of other mobsters out of harm’s way. This allows them to avoid attention from the police. Over the years, the yakuza have not only been involved in extortion and blackmail, but have also been involved in more sophisticated crimes such as stock manipulation and other fraud schemes. These are reasons why the police have been struggling with the yakuza.
The relationship between the yakuza and the police has also evolved. The two groups used to be able to “give and take”, but now the Yamaguchi-gumi, the prominent Tokyo clan, have been uncooperative since their new leader, Tsukasa Shinobu, took power. The Yamaguchi-gumi has become huge with resources that rival japans corporations. They have swapped their gaudy way of dressing for suits, making them into businessmen rather than just thugs. According to David McNeill and Jake Adelstein’s article, “Yakuza Wars”, it is hard to tell legitimate businesses from those of the yakuza. The police are often not much help because they do not always share information. (proving that corruption …show more content…

However, it is worth considering their altruistic deeds as well. In 2011, when the tsunami hit japan, the Yakuza were the first groups to provide humanitarian assistance/disaster relief. In 1995, the yakuza used scooters, boats, and a helicopter to deliver supplies after an earthquake hit Kobe; Japan’s fifth-largest city. Even though the Yakuza are a very dangerous gang, they feel the need to help others because the yakuza are mostly made up of common people. Therefore, they sympathize with the public because they have no means of taking care of themselves when disasters

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