Yakuza
Yakuza (ヤクザ or やくざ ),
also known as gokudō (極道?), are members of traditional organized crime groups in Japan, and also known as the “violence group”.
A Yak is a derogatory term that refers to the Yakuza. The term is used by Japanese young people and foreign persons familiar with Japanese culture.
Today, the Yakuza are among the largest crime organizations in the world. In Japan, as of 2005, there are some 86,300 known members. In Japanese legal terminology, yakuza organizations are referred to as bōryokudan, literally “violence groups”, which Yakuza members consider an insult as it can be applied to any violent criminal. (more…)