The Japanese Mafia

Abstract

Abstract This book has three main objectives. Firstly, it examines Japan's organized crime syndicates (most commonly known asyakuzaorbɵryokudan) with reference to the best available theoretical analyses of the Sicilian mafia and other manifestations of organized crime. Like the Sicilian mafia, the core competence of theyakuzais providing protection and, because of this, it can be considered a mafia. Secondly, it provides a comprehensive overview of the historical development, structure, and business activities of the contemporaryyakuza. Thirdly, it investigates the relationship between theyakuzaand the state, paying particular attention to the effects of the 1992bɵryokudancountermeasures law. The collapse of the bubble economy during the early 1990s, which had a major impact on theyakuza's activities, makes it difficult to evaluate the impact of this law. The book concludes that the preference of the Japanese authorities for social control processes over formal mechanisms of enforcement and dispute resolution has created a conducive environment for private protection markets.Yakuzaprovision of such protection has been one consequence. Current developments in the set Japan's social, legal, economic, and political relations suggest, however, that this market is under threat.

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