OK, so I knew there were yakuza (Japanese mafia) in Yamaguchi (the 'state' I live in). I knew there were yakuza in Hagi (my city). I even knew that some of the kids I teach are yakuza kids. What I didn't know was that the Yamaguchi branch of the yakuza is the largest in Japan! In fact, the Yamaguchi gang is one of the largest criminal organisations in the world. They have a hand in pretty much all underground businesses or anything dodgy, including pachinko - Japans way around the fact that gambling is illegal in this country - and love hotels. I'll explain that one another time.
On the 6th there was a shooting in Tokyo by the yamaguchi-gumi (gang) of an important member of a rival branch. There were rumours of a gang war on the verge of spilling over into the public, and revenge shootings started an hour after the first murder, but a few days ago the leaders of the groups met and called a truce, at least for now. Apparently there have been tensions since the end of 2005, so we'll see how long the truce lasts.
Mum, I know you will have read this far, but don't worry, the yakuza in Hagi are nice guys. They are all rich bastards and most of them speak some English.
I live almost directly opposite a pachinko parlour, and occassionally I see members of the yakuza around. More often than not I see them driving around in big flashy cars. They walk different to normal japanese men as well.
There was a murder in Hagi just before I arrived. A woman who ran away from her yakuza boyfriend was found dead on the beach at Hagi, and there have been a few 'incidents', but nothing really tied to anybody. The police just try to keep a lid on things, and not get involved. So Japan isn't a totally boring country to live in.
Tattooing is a sign of membership, although this an extreme example. Members often wear conservative clothing unless they want to display their 'badge'.
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