Yakuza’s impacts on Japan’s society
In Japan’s history up till today, we often see many news involving Yakuza’s activities in the society.
Some famous Yakuza organisations are Yamaguchi-gumi, Sumiyoshi-kai and the Inagawa-kai. The Yamaguchi-gumi is the largest Yakuza organization in Japan with members up to 40,000 and Sumiyoshi-kai coming in second with 12,000 and Inagawa-Kai with 10,000. ( Adelstein, 2011)
Citizens in Japan have many different views on the Yakuza. Many may insist that the Yakuza are criminals as they pursue money and power through the ways of any crime gangs anywhere. They do drug-dealing, smuggling, prostitution, gambling, and protection rackets. (Andrew Rankin, 2012)
As such, people may have commonly defined the Yakuza
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This can be seen in the book Yakuza’s Moon where the daughter experienced constant verbal and physical bullying when she was younger for 6 years just because she was the daughter of a Yakuza member. (SHOKO, 2012)
However, aside to the negative impacts they brought to Japan’s society, one must never forget the positive impacts they have made on the society. They help the society by boosting the economy and providing help relief for the citizens when natural disasters strike.
This can be seen in the 1995 earthquake where Yamaguchi-gumi was one of the most responsive forces to provide supplies for the casualties and the homeless. They do not seek fame in offering such relief help as they are afraid that the casualties and homeless will not accept those supplies if they know that it came from the Yakuza.(JAKE ADELSTEIN, 2011).
Also, since they are like “loan sharks”, they can offer assistance loans of high amount of money which the bank may not be willing to do so. In this way, the citizens can get the assistance that they need.(Velgus, 2012