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2003-09-07 East Asia

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Posted by Baba Yaga 2003-09-07 12:50:41 PM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Wonder what the"Yakuza"is upto theses'days.

Posted by raptor 2003-9-7 1:47:03 PM|| 2003-9-7 1:47:03 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 The Yakuza try to maintain a low profile. I knew a couple that was unknowlingly wondering in a bad area of Tokyo on a tourist trip. A kind fellow in a white suit (missing a few fingers) gave them a lift back to their hotel. Afterwards, they realized what he was, and figured that having having gaijin being victimized by crime in that area would draw unwanted police attention.

Posted by A Jackson 2003-9-7 3:21:23 PM|| 2003-9-7 3:21:23 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 Agreed. The Yakuza prefers to think of itself as the shadow government of Japan, a concept which harkens back to the era when many of the men who eventually became the Yakuza were disposessed samurai, financially broken minor nobles, and the occasional noble who'd been on the losing side in one of the fights for control of the government.

I'm not saying they're nice people. They are NOT. But they do prefer to think of themselves as champions of the little people (In a "Godfather-ish" sort of way) and when they can indulge that feeling, they do so. Provided, of course, that any such charitable acts don't get in the way of making money. Heh.

They also tend to be ultra-patriots (again, as long as it doesn't interfere with profits), and deeply resent the Chinese Tongs moving in on what they see as THEIR private property.

Ed.

Posted by Ed Becerra 2003-9-7 6:05:20 PM|| 2003-9-7 6:05:20 PM|| Front Page Top

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