Louise's Reviews > The Last Yakuza: Life and Death in the Japanese Underworld

Journalist Jeff Adelstein lucked out when he asked his Yakuza source to recommend a driver and body guard. Saigo Makoto, a “retired” Yakiza, had served at all levels, rising to be something like a #2 in the Inagawa-Kai.

Each chapter tells a story that illustrates the Yakusa life. While there are some chapters that give basic Yakusa history, most of the content is about the experiences of Adelstein’s driver and body guard.

You see how the various Yakuza gangs are organized and how they protect their territory. You see bosses, like Saigo who at times had over 100 reports, control (punishment is violent) and support their “staff”. They pay widows benefits for those who fall in the line of duty.

Yakuza customs reflect Japanese culture. You see members bowing based on rank, the ritual of lighting cigarettes and sharing of business cards (Yes. Yakuza have business cards). Members enjoy the many Yakuza comic books. There are ceremonial protocols for weddings and funerals. Many members have short fuses, so like Samurai, slugging, kicking and knifing are accepted. Suicide is also accepted, and in some cases is considered honorable. Even the well centered Saigo contemplates it.

The “old style” Yakuzas stuck with protection, extortion and other schemes they could justify. For instance, they believed that their punishments for petty criminals kept a safer community than police could and those who pay extortion money are guilty of something. Young Yakuza’s broke from the more “justifiable” crimes and they started using guns, Coach, like other older Yakuza’s the head of Saigo’s gang, accepted some pretty heavy violence, but not guns.

Despite the thuggish foot soldiers, the “new” Yakuzas entered the corporate world at the top. From their fashionable offices (hardly like the meeting places of the Sopranos) they looked for “investment” opportunities like any other executive.

One of the most amazing chapters was Saigo’s penance where he removes a finger. Prior to this, there is a lot on this fading practice as well as Yakuza tattooing.

Saigo’s career spanned the (approximately) 30 year post war period when the Yakuza were powerful. They had effectively infiltrated the police and government, Yunichiro Koizumi, a former Prime Minister, was from a Yakuza family.

In 2011 a series of laws made it difficult for the lower level Yakuza to bring in the money. Those who rented an Yakuza a apartment or sold them a phone were punished. As being a Yakuza became less profitable, many left.

Adelstein follows the writer’s rule of “Show me” (i.e. don’t tell me.) Each chapter is an episode illustrating the various aspects of Yakuza life and culture. You see the how crimes, the violence, the rituals, the relationships and much more are play out in actual events.

If you are interested in this topic, the book is recommended.