Culture

Yakuza Offices

bōryokudan jimusho (yakuza jimusho)

The short answer

Japan's yakuza groups are not banned outright, so some syndicates have long kept known offices, sometimes with nameplates. Since the 2011 nationwide anti-organised-crime ordinances, membership has fallen sharply and many offices have closed.

Where

Japan

Category

Social/Crime

When

Ongoing

Origin

Post-WWII

What it is

Known crime syndicates (Yakuza) often have publicly listed offices or headquarters sometimes with signs.

Why it matters

A paradox of Japanese society where organized crime groups operate with a degree of openness and quasi-legitimacy.

Fun fact

The police term is bōryokudan (violence group); 'yakuza' itself comes from a losing hand (8-9-3) in a card game.

Kungfucius says: Only in Japan does organised crime come with a letterbox and opening hours.

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