The Yakuza -

: A chivalrous code claiming they help the weak and fight the strong.

The Yakuza currently face an existential crisis. Older members are retiring, and younger generations find the lifestyle—and its legal consequences—unattractive. The Yakuza

: Involvement in "Jiageya" (land sharking) to force property sales. : A chivalrous code claiming they help the

: Members can no longer open bank accounts, sign leases, or get insurance. : Involvement in "Jiageya" (land sharking) to force

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

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

In the 20th and 21st centuries, the Yakuza transitioned from street crime to high-level white-collar activity.