The YAKUZA gang that CONQUERED Japan - History of the Yamaguchi-gumi 

"Excellent history. You left out the CIA money given to the Yakuza for killing socialist leaders to keep Japan on the capitalist path after the war. That is a major major part of Yakuza history."

I used to live in Yoshiwara which is a hotbed of yakuza activity in Tokyo and many a time did I see senior guys with their bodyguards out and about running the fuzoku (adult services) businesses. Man they dress sharp and look shady, but always polite and courteous to the local residents. Great content, subbed!

This is a gem of a content. I have been encountering many gang members when I was in Osaka and the accidentally have a discussion with them in a small izakaya in Tokyo. They are very polite but very much aware of their surroundings, you can feel a heavy air when you are around them.

This was a really well researched and delivered video, that avoided melodrama and cliche. Also great incidental music at an appropriate volume. Small things like this make all the difference.

Didn't think I wouldve watched the entire video but your presentation and narration was on point, very entertaining. Excellent video.

This is one of the best documentaries i have ever seen on Japanese Yakuza and one of the best about organized crimes, i am so glad i discovered your channel, pure recommendation to anyone who is interested in Japan and Yakuza.

Easily one of the well researched and made documentaries I can watch on RU-vid. Nicely done !

Thank you for an informative & well versed story. So much to learn. Well done on your research!

Some of the footage used here is from an actual 5-part adaptation of Taoka Kazuo's life called Battles Without Honor and Humanity, which is an amazing series of films I'd recommend anyone check out!

So when you think the Yakuza series were all just myths, no. Daigo's mum becoming the fumicho of the whole clan, the execution when the lift door opens, the "protesters" in Yakuza 7 and how Yakuza organizations and affiliates handles the stardom scene in all 3-5 shows you just how much research the game has put into the actual culture of Yakuzas.

Great video! Thank you for it :)

Very interesting story and a great work as always. Thanks for you effort!

After studying Italian American Mafia for many years, I must admit this is most intriguing. Thank you for uploading this. Very informative, and you got me hooked.

Thank you! I enjoyed this!

A vast history lesson. Such a beautiful culture and people with so much history that so little know. Great job on this doc and well done. Very knowledgeable.

The story of the Yamaguchi-gumi is so intriguing! Gang wars, assassination (attempts), envy, stars involved, a strong woman taking the leadership, ... That would be some material for a Japanese version of the "Godfather" 😁

Loved the documentary. I wish you hundreds of thousands of subscribers in the months to come.

I like the little touch of the RGG Soundtrack playing through the video

Very informative. Thanks

Despite the long form you still keep me engaged, well done; I look forward to the next one.

Well done documentary, with great pronunciation and historical background. I’m a gang buff and love knowing as much as possible about the history of gangs in the world . Thank you for your presentation. New subscriber

This is very good and insightful❤

Its surprised me that I watched the video right thru ... very interesting thanks for uploading.

Excellent video! Well written and edited! You deserve 1m+ subs.

I concur top quality content on this video. Thankyou for explaining the Yakuza the way you have it was very enjoyable 🇦🇺

Osaka is still a bastion of Yakuza activity. They don't have a fraction of the social & political power they used to. That said, there's plenty of "retired" capos that keep short swords (kodachi/wakizashi) in there home and on their person, as well as bokuto, hardwood training swords that can easily break bones and be lethal.

Excellent content my dude. Well done I enjoyed it a lot and am looking forward to more.

Fascinating video

Thank you for the great documentary

Yo this some quality stuff right here

Wonderful presentation....so fascinating to learn about different cultures. TY for your hard work.

Awesome video!! Always been a fan of the Yakuza culture

Very informative video! Would it be possible to cover the Sumiyoshi-Kai as well? You know, the gang that serves as the inspiration for the Tojo Clan in the Yakuza game series.

Great video!

your channel needs more traffic; your content is top quality! Some of the information you present isnt easily available elsewhere

Thanks for this info 😎

Woow i m really impressed by the content and the storytelling of yamaguchi-gumi one of the powerful yakuza gang in Japan . Getting to know their story and history was amazing. I m really impressed by the storytelling bro keep up the good work and bring more content like this. By this video you have gained a subscriber . I m really impressed bro and hope to see more stories like this......

The Yakuza Papers is an Excellent series of movies. Brilliant. This is an excellent video. Thank you.

Brilliant video!

Really interesting video !

In 1972, when I was teaching "Constitutional Law," (that's English conversation for people who don't want to admit their English isn't perfect) at the Japanese Diet, the number of Yakuza in Japan increased from 13,537 to 13,945. or some such. How could the National Police Agency be so precise, I wondered. They phoned the gang secretary and asked.

Great video. Fascinating stuff. Hats off to your visual storytelling style with so little footage to work with.

Amazing video

great content, Aniki, I love your vids.Thank you for doing this work! Can you please explain the difference between terms 'kumicho' and 'oyabun'?

Great video...subscribed!!!!

Good job good graphics great story telling

Excellent presentation!

Arigatō for this vlog!! However, I'd still lik e to hear about the origins of the Yakuza, because i have a basic understanding of the Italian Mafia, without looking at them as a Right, Wrong or Indifferent, Iam someone who likes to learnt about history!!

Loved hearing the piano rendition of Baka Mitai! Also a stupendous video as well! I truly enjoyed that!

Super glad the algorithm suggested your content. Clear and concise while an informed and entertaining journey. Appreciate the content. 👍

as a fan of the yakuza series, this is one of the best essays I've ever watched, i know that the yakuza in games are portraited as big buff guys in suits fist fighting, but you made an history documentary about them its very impressive.

Nice to see you took my suggestion! Can we have the Inagawa or Sumiyoshi-kai next?

great video subbed !

new sub and a new yorker living in omori Tokyo, grate Doc !

Wow great awesome video love and enjoy it very much...

They failed to mention that like the RICO act, the Boryokudan Shimpo can target the bosses for the misdeeds of their soldiers, namely guns and drugs. Also I’ve met some here in Japan that are part timers who can fall back on legitimate business.

That's a very interesting channel name you've got there.

Nihon - Saikō (The Best)!!! Yakuza is an important part of Japanese culture and history…they helped shape Japan into the country it is today! Nihon (Japan) has the most beautiful people and culture I have ever been blessed to experience…and I humbly, honestly and truly fell in love. I grew up three miles from the nearest neighbour, open space for miles, huge forests and no traffic lights (also amazing)…the little girl from the middle of nowhere who hopped on a plane (knowing three words in Japanese) flew to Osaka, travelled by bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo, watched snow fall on Kinkaku-ji (which took my breath away)…sat looking out over the biggest city in the world and just felt so safe and blessed and welcome…!! Thank you - this was beautifully presented…and well researched!! ♥️

Thank you for such an Informative video!! Like most people in the West, I know the Yakuza exists but I never knew their history or the extent of their influence and this was exactly what I had been looking for to educate me!! The crazy thing that I think most people don't equate with "organized crime" is that it is "organized" and therefore, (despite stereotypes), they deserve a certain amount of respect as a governing body, entrusted with the well-being of the common folk just as any governing organization. Interestingly enough, the "organized" gang acts as a sort of surrogate government that is way more immediately effective and more closely involved with the every-day normal people living in their areas than local government could Ever be; and, aside from having to pay protection, the pro's seem to usually outweigh the cons of having them around. As organized crime is about making money, they generally tend to uphold order, and do not tolerate random crimes that could disrupt business. Also, (and this could be a completely separate discussion), I believe most people want to see themselves as good and altruistic human beings; even Yakuza members. (in fact, I would wager, that is probably the Biggest rationalization members employ to themselves for even Being Yakuza members; the fact that they can make an immediate and Real difference in their own community). That all being said, these organizations are generally generous in their dealings with the public at large, and they often are often much more responsive to local issues than actual government officials, and they are also not burdened with all the associative red tape in order to get things done. Just some thoughts I had on the subject... thank you for your indulgence. :)

In fact, it is only recently that the yakuza have become more vicious. After the war, a few smart Koreans became legitimate traders in Japan, but many uneducated Koreans became yakuza. The yakuza organization has existed since before the Edo piriod, but the main members at that time were exclusively Japanese. Unlike today's yakuza, they were not interested in extortion, but were more like casino operators and bouncers for the entire downtown area. However, after the defeat in the war, many delinquent Koreans intervened in the yakuza business and began prostitution and drug trafficking.

Love the clips of Jingi Naki no Tatakai. Still wanna watch the whole series

Very educational video ! Earned yourself a new subscriber. that said, I would like to know which movies you are displaying along your documentary, would love to watch them ! thx and cheers from France :)

Really well done documentary, excellent work! You've earned a subscriber!

Good job

Love the "Yakusa Papers" clips🇯🇵👘🎏⛩️

What an interesting video man, awesome job. I enjoyed watching this. I feel like this story is worthy of a movie, if one hasn't already been made. Anyway, gonna check more of your videos. 🤙🫡

Guten Abend und liebe Grüße aus Berlin! Vorab vielen Dank für die Recherchen und die wirklich gute Präsentation! Das Video selbst schaue ich mir morgen in aller Ruhe an und sende das an meine Freunde, da ich wirklich hoffe, dass der Kanal Erfolg hat. Für jeden Fan der Yakuza-Serie ist es eigentlich ein Muss, hier mal vorbeizuschauen. Ich freue mich sehr auf diese Episode, da dies quasi die Omi-Alliance im echten Leben darstellt und dachte ich lasse ein paar nette Worte da. Viel Erfolg und lieben Dank für diese sehr interessanten Videos!😎

Such a meticulously prepared and presented video! Thank you very much, sir, I am a new subscriber.

Can recommend Tokyo Vice where that first clip is from, HBO i think

The gang leader you mentioned in the opening are mostly guys that made it worse for those underground organizations to function by bringing too much public attention and forcing authorities to act.

An excellent documentary

If the video was 2 hours long, I wouldn’t have stopped watching it, I was so hooked. Excellent storytelling and presentation!

You earned a subscriber

Good vid

I pray for ur succes aniki.. ur content is top tier m really enjoyable.. keep it up n don't forget to rest

Excellent video! Are there books you recommend to read about the Yakuza?

Takakura Ken is a phenomenal actor and played a good mobster in his films. Plus he's done a good job as Duke Togo in Golgo 13 from the Japanese comics.

I've been living in a Osaka for the past 20 years some of this I knew and some I heard for the first time either way it's pretty interesting

Outstanding job of presenting Japan's mafia history. The two questions I have are based on points not touched at all in this video: What, exactly, did the Japanese public think about the mafia's activities & how deeply was the national government tied to & involved with the yakuza? 😎

Great video! The Yakuza seem to be heading towards retirement, but I suspect something new will replace them in due course.

From a hero organization that fought to defend their home to a classified organization crime group. It's ironic, yet very inspiring leadership and comeback story. Great work, Aniki!

What an excellent video! Liked and subscribed!

New sub excellent content

Great video!! I love japanese history, the culture is incredible thanks for sharing. U gotta new Sub.

Damm. Wonder if they had to beat the Tojo clan first.

Using the first few seconds of kenji kawaii - reincarnation, several times here. Great composer.

@aniki what film are you using in the video please as I'd like to watch it

While this is a very cool and interesting video, I think there's a tendency to buy into the gangster mentality of power struggles and community involvement. These are thugs though, let's not forget that when there's this talk of how extortion is a competitive industry, for example, as a footnote in their journey, we're really talking about attempts to ruin people's lives. They may dress sharply for status, they may be polite to average people to avoid stirring up negative public sentiment, and they may have this narrative of being some kind of honourable warriors, but the reason that that narrative is so important to them is because they actually have no honour. They're predators looking to prey on the weak, nothing more.

Good documentary! What about the forbidden topic of “ THE GREEN DRAGON SOCIETY”?

This is very well done. Wonder what is situation now in Japan? I heard Yakuza are almost extinct.

Where is the opening scene of the video from? It seems to be from a movie, but I'm not sure which one.

Love the video. You have to say, there is no way that Pablo Escobar is more well-known than Alphonse Capone

The narrator's voice reminded me of Dave Spector, the smart, amusing talent who appears often on Japanese television. About five years ago, in Yokohama's Chinatown, the three bosses from Yamaguchigumi, Inagawakai and Sumiyoshikai met for some consultation or agreement. Details of the meeting remain a mystery.

Great presentation! Also love the Baka Mitai instrumental at the ending 😆

4:03 the word 「口」does not mean entrance. It means mouth. But it's often used as entrance. Like for example 「東口」(higashiguchi) meaning eastern entrance, or 「入口」(iriguchi) meaning entrance.

Great video. Can you recommend some good Yakuza movies?

Aww, really fascinating. I'm 'into' pretty much all things Japan and this was a cool vid to watch. I'm not gonna be able to ever go there but gonna see if I can come back Japanese next life, lmao. Thanks for the vid.

Of course, when talking about the Yakuza, lets put on a music track from one of the video games of the same (western) name :D

Well researched. As some said, the use of the Yakuza for a Japanese operation gladio is notable but great vid nonetheless

Nice content!