The largest yakuza organized crime syndicate in Japan has presented a formal commitment to local authorities to cease its conflicts with breakaway factions, according to police reports.
The Yamaguchi-gumi has been embroiled in violent confrontations with other yakuza factions formed by former members who parted ways in 2015.
This week, senior members delivered a letter to the police, pledging to “put an end to all internal conflicts” and “avoid causing any disturbances,” a police representative stated.
Since 2020, authorities have been closely monitoring various yakuza groups due to rising violence, which has severely restricted their activities, including their ability to operate offices in certain locales.
The future intentions of the splinter groups are uncertain, according to the Hyogo police official.
Investigators are watching the situation closely, as the Yamaguchi-gumi’s pledge may only be a unidirectional statement, he noted.
In contrast to the Italian mafia or Chinese triads, the yakuza have historically navigated a grey area within Japanese society.
While not illegal, each yakuza group maintains its headquarters publicly, under the watchful eye of law enforcement.
Declining Membership
The yakuza emerged from the disorder following World War II, evolving into multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprises.
Their activities span a range of illegal endeavors, including drug trafficking, prostitution, extortion, and white-collar crime.
They were long accepted as a necessary evil for maintaining order in urban areas and facilitating swift business dealings, regardless of their questionable methods.
In recent decades, stringent anti-gang laws, diminishing social acceptance, and an ailing economy have contributed to a steady decline in membership.
As of 2024, police records indicated that membership in national yakuza groups has dropped to a historic low of 18,800, falling below the 20,000 threshold for the first time.
Despite this decline, they continue to represent a societal threat as they persist in criminal activities while maintaining a lower profile, according to a recent report from the National Police Agency.
Yakuza and other criminal enterprises are becoming increasingly complex with the rise of “tokuryu” groups, police have stated.
Unlike traditional yakuza organizations with structured hierarchies, these are informal groups consisting of individuals.
Many participants lack a criminal history and are often recruited through social media with the lure of quick financial gain.
These factions appear to collaborate with established yakuza groups, complicating the landscape of crime in Japan, as highlighted by police reports.
Tattoos continue to be frequently linked with yakuza and other “anti-social” elements, although societal attitudes are shifting.
In Japan, individuals with tattoos often face restrictions from venues such as swimming pools and “onsen” baths, and tourists with body art can sometimes encounter challenges due to these policies.
