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The Secret History of Japanese Cinema: The Yakuza movies

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  • Federico Varese

Abstract

This article explores the interplay among economic imperatives within the entertainment business, the mafia's role in the creation of its own media image, and the production of gangster films. Taking Japan as a case study, the paper shows that, when given the chance to influence the content of gangster movies, crime bosses have portrayed themselves as benevolent patriarchs and a positive force in society, rather the anti-heroes of classic American gangster movies. In Japan, such a choice had, however, the unintended consequence of a decline in audience interest and eventually led to the demise of studio yakuza movies. Ultimately, the paper shows that the mafia control over art can lead to the death of art—something that is bad for the mafia as well.

Suggested Citation

  • Federico Varese, 2006. "The Secret History of Japanese Cinema: The Yakuza movies," Global Crime, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(1), pages 105-124, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:fglcxx:v:7:y:2006:i:1:p:105-124
    DOI: 10.1080/17440570600650166
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    Cited by:

    1. Belasen, Ariel R. & Kutan, Ali M. & Belasen, Alan T., 2017. "The impact of unsuccessful pirate attacks on financial markets: Evidence in support of Leeson's reputation-building theory," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 344-351.
    2. Peter T. Leeson & David B. Skarbek, 2010. "Criminal constitutions," Global Crime, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(3), pages 279-297, August.
    3. Leeson,Peter T., 2014. "Anarchy Unbound," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107025806.
    4. Peter T. Leeson & Douglas Bruce Rogers, 2012. "Organizing Crime," Supreme Court Economic Review, University of Chicago Press, vol. 20(1), pages 89-123.
    5. Giacomo Di Gennaro, 2018. "La mimetizzazione dell'attività estorsiva e i diversi tipi di autorità extralegale nei mercati illegali e legali," Moneta e Credito, Economia civile, vol. 71(284), pages 311-335.
    6. Leeson, Peter T., 2010. "Pirational choice: The economics of infamous pirate practices," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 76(3), pages 497-510, December.

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