The Yakuza is populated almost entirely by men and the very few women who are acknowledged are the wives of bosses, who are referred to by the title ane-san (姐さん, older sister).
Unlike Western mafia wives, Yakuza wives remain outside the sphere of criminal activity. Although the women play a vital role in running the clan – managing finances, resolving quarrels and providing emotional support – they are barred from being active participants or formal members.
In terms of how women fit into the patriarchal structure of the Yakuza, Jafé says: “Yakuza aren't more patriarchal than the rest of the country, so most of Yakuza wives have the life of 'basic' Japanese housewives.
Yes, you can join the Yakuza as an American. A small percentage of the Yakuza are not Japanese. But it may be a hard feat to achieve. That's because the Yakuza have the traditional Japanese warrior spirit that sees the foreigner as a threat.
Can a woman be a Oyabun? In the years before and after World War II, documented cases can be found on the “many female delinquents, female gurentai, and female yakuza” with famous female oyabuns ruling in the areas of Yokohama and Tokyo.
Sukeban (スケバン/助番) is a Japanese term meaning 'delinquent girl', and the female equivalent to the male banchō in Japanese culture. The usage of the word sukeban refers to either the leader of a girl gang or the entire gang itself, and is not used to refer to any one member of a girl gang.
Contrarily, the yakuza are a confederation of criminal syndicates active throughout Japan. According to Japanese law, their status is not illegal: they have offices and a yakuza presence is still noticeable in many cities.
Unfortunately, no such pathways to reintegration currently exist. Social acceptance is unattainable for most who renounce their membership in organized crime groups. As a result, they have no option but to resort to illegal activity to survive. I witnessed this myself during my study of ex-yakuza.
Can an American be part of the yakuza? The answer is: No, not in any meaningful way. More than anything else, organized crime groups in Japan value Yamato-Damashi—the traditional, and xenophobic, Japanese warrior spirit. You're a foreigner, so you're the problem.
The Yakuza is a network of highly organized, transnational crime families with affiliates in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, and is involved in various criminal activities, including weapons trafficking, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and money laundering.
The wives, daughters, and mistresses of the yakuza are not considered true members of the organisation, even though they play an important role within it. To function in this world, they must develop a unique strength and character.
These gangs controlled many businesses, engaged in sophisticated gambling and loan sharking activities, and invested heavily in sports and other entertainment. They also became involved in drugs, money lending, smuggling, and pornography.
While the traditional Japanese culture allowed polygamy in the form of concubines and multiple wives, this practice has been outlawed since 1896 when Japan adopted the Meiji Civil Code, which stipulated monogamy as the only form of marriage. To sum it up: it's still not legal in Japan.
The yakuza mainly make their living through unlawful b usinesses, such as gambling, drugs, prostitution and loan-sharking. Most of the money comes from gambling, most often from dice games. Each group has its own gambling room, which is usually behind a bar or restaurant.
The men of yakuza follow a strict code of conduct and hierarchy. They sport irezumi (a distinctive style of Japanese tattooing), slick back-combed hair, tailored suits, and are most avidly known for following unconventional rituals like yubitsume, the amputation of the left little finger.
Over time the yakuza have shifted toward white-collar crime, relying more and more on bribery in lieu of violence, and indeed in the early 21st century they were one of the least murderous criminal groups in the world.
However, there's no apparent modern or historical basis for a white American being accepted into the yakuza, with the film's synopsis having little understanding of how the crime syndicates work.
Members of the Yakuza are strictly prohibited from hurting civilians. It's part of their core rules. The opposite is also a common Hollywood made misconception.
In the United States, the Yakuza has been known to be involved in money laundering and drug trafficking. To date, OFAC has designated 21 individuals, 5 criminal syndicates, 2 subsidiary gangs, and 2 companies associated with the Yakuza.
Article 24-1 prohibits business owners from giving property benefits to the yakuza and its associates as payback for illegal demanding acts or illegal acts which benefit the business owner him/herself.
The banking industry has a rule prohibiting former yakuza from opening bank accounts until five years after they leave a gang. This forces former gang members to explain to employers why they cannot open bank accounts, and makes job hunting harder.
Irezumi, known as a Japanese tattoo, usually covering some or most of the women's bodies. Chloe planned to explore the irezumi associated with the Yakuza culture. It is a handmade design made with a wooden handle and a needle.
One has to say no, because the Yakuza is an exclusive all-male organization. Within the organization many women can have business or managerial positions for different functions while working for the Yakuza but they cannot be members of the Yakuza.
Bosozoku means 'violent speed tribe', a reflection of the machines they ride. Back in the seventies, the Bosozoku biker gangs were often targeted by police because of their anarchist behavior. via Twitter. They had their own fashion style. Their rides were loud and recognizable.