Four men were arrested in Tokyo after authorities discovered they were operating a Yakuza office too close to a public library, violating stringent local laws. This incident illustrates some of the legal and social challenges the Yakuza, or boryokudan, continues to face. They face eroding membership bases and increasingly repressive regulations from police departments.
At its high in the 1960s, the Yakuza donned a flashy 184,000 members. Specifically, they were fully embroiled in some of the most grotesque forms of crime including extortion, money laundering, drug and sex trafficking. Their operations were global in scope, carrying their mischief well beyond the shores of Japan. Even as of 2024, the number of active Yakuza members has significantly decreased to an all-time low of 18,800 members. That’s a steep drop from their previously powerful clout.
The Yakuza’s hierarchical structure and honor codes govern the actions of its soldiers. Even with these self-imposed restrictions, the collective has continued to come under escalating militarized attack from police. In April 2024, Japan’s largest and most powerful yakuza clan, the Yamaguchi-gumi, made international news headlines by promising to “stop all internal fighting.” They further pledged to “never make business,” demonstrating their efforts to meet Japan’s increasingly changing organized crime environment.
For example, in Tokyo, regulations prevent Yakuza offices from being located within 200 meters of every school, child welfare center and library. These strategies are intended to reduce the impact of organized crime on exploited communities. Recent high-profile arrests alert us all that despite its slow decline, the Yakuza is active and present today. They do this under intense public scrutiny and legal liability.
Today, authorities, both in Japan and abroad, closely monitor Yakuza activities. They pay specific attention to cities, where the deployment of these groups can put communities’ safety at risk. The police heralded these arrests as being the lynchpin to a large crackdown. They too want to follow the law, and do their job protecting public order.
“The goal is to end all internal fighting and never cause any trouble.” – Police
