How likely is it that I'll run into Yakuza if I go to Japan?

It's unlikely and not something I would be too worried about. That said, I remember a couple of run-ins with Yakuza and one in particular that stands out. When I first arrived to Japan I was at the store buying an iPhone. Next to me there was a man yelling at the customer service agent. read more

Well, you might not run into them, but they might run into you! It used to be (and maybe still is) one of the yakuza money-making tactics to collide their car with an innocent victim’s car, then show the victim a name card with a yakuza crest on it and demand compensation for the accident. Not surprisingly, most people pay up. read more

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world! Well, at least if we’re talking about crime! For example, in no other country in the world it’s more unlikely that you’ll get hit by a bullet! The crime rate is extremely low compared to most other countries. read more

The Yamaguchi-gumi is the biggest yakuza family, accounting for 50% of all yakuza in Japan, with more than 55,000 members divided into 850 clans. Despite more than one decade of police repression, the Yamaguchi-gumi has continued to grow. From its headquarters in Kobe, it directs criminal activities throughout Japan. read more