The Yakuza ◆

: Involvement in "Jiageya" (land sharking) to force property sales.

: Itinerant peddlers who sold illicit or low-quality goods. The Yakuza

: The ritual of cutting off a finger joint as an apology for failure. : Involvement in "Jiageya" (land sharking) to force

: Elaborate, full-body hand-poked tattoos signify strength and commitment. The Yakuza

: Laws passed in the 2010s that make it illegal for businesses to deal with Yakuza.

The Yakuza represent one of the world's most sophisticated and storied organized crime syndicates. Rooted in centuries of history, they have evolved from street peddlers into powerful corporate-like entities that operate in a unique gray area of Japanese society. Origins and Early History

: Most members came from the "Burakumin" (outcast) class.