Japan’s Yakuza – still alive, and yes, they do matter

Purpose - This paper aims to inform the reader of the nature of Japanese organize crime (“the Yakuza”) and the extent to which it has penetrated and is a powerful force in nearly all facets of Japanese society – with particular focus on the “legitimate” business and financial worlds. The paper also describes in detail the actual harmful effects of Yakuza influence and also provides a cautionary note for foreign business ventures in Japan. Design/methodology/approach - The paper offers an in-depth narrative description based on the author’s over 20 years’ experience researching the topic along with practical experience gained while working in the business risk mitigation field in Japan and assisting private entities in avoiding underworld entanglements. Findings - The paper demonstrates how the Yakuza remains a potent force with widespread influence in Japan, despite the government’s enactment of specific regulations designed to pressure underworld organizations. Research limitations/implications - The paper offers insights into an aspect of Japanese society that receives limited examination, and the information contained in the article is potentially useful to other scholars and the foreign business community as well. The Yakuza are a broad topic, and the author’s perspectives are necessarily focused on cases of Yakuza involvement in the legitimate economy and political world rather than the entire panoply of underworld activity. Practical implications - The insights and descriptions of underworld involvement in “legitimate” parts of Japanese society might encourage Japanese authorities to assess why the Yakuza remain entrenched and take appropriate counter measures. Social implications - The paper is potentially of use to foreign business and governmental organizations in better understanding and countering risks and threats posed by the Japanese underworld, both in Japan and beyond its borders. Originality/value - This topic is infrequently covered in any depth in English language sources and seldom if ever by someone with over two decades of practical experience identifying and helping private entities navigate around Yakuza dangers.