Does the crime organization Yakuza (hope I spelled it right) still exist?

Question

Do they exist in America?

WOW kidd. Great infor.

Answer 1

Yakuza, also known as gokudo, are members of traditional organized crime groups in Japan. Today, the yakuza are one of the largest organized crime phenomena in the world.

In Japanese legal terminology, yakuza organizations are referred to as bōryokudan, literally "violence groups". Yakuza members consider this an insult, as bōryokudan is a term which can be applied to any violent criminal. In the Western press they are sometimes called the "Japanese mafia," by analogy with other traditionally Italian-Sicilian organized crime groups of the same name.
Much of the current activities of the yakuza can be understood in the light of their feudal origin. First, they are not a secret society like their counterparts of the Italian mafia and Chinese triads. Yakuza organizations often have an office with a wooden board on the front door, openly displaying their group name or emblem. Members often wear sunglasses and colourful suits so that their profession can be immediately recognized by civilians (katagi). Even the way many Yakuza walk is markedly different from ordinary citizens. Their arrogant, wide gait is markedly different from the quiet, unassuming way many Japanese go about their business. Alternatively, they can be more conservatively dressed but when the need arises, they can flash their tattoos to indicate their affiliation. On occasion they also sport insignia pins on their lapels. One Yakuza family even printed a monthly newsletter with details on prisons, weddings, funerals, murders, and poems by leaders.

Do they exist in America? Absolutely.
They own half of the skyscrapers built in the 1980s downtown Chicago. They are major owners of one of America's largest banks and its holding company. They are unpublicized kingpins in dope trafficking in America.
They are the collectors and enforcers for gambling and prostitution on the West Coast of the United States. In the U.S., Japan, and elsewhere, they operate covert firms, propertaries, for the American CIA. One of their key members, according to a book on the subject, reportedly founded and owns a stylish restaurant chain in America.
Five of their strong-arms tried to murder O.J. Simpson. An outgrowth of a business deal he reportedly had with them that went sour or in which they tried to muscle in on OJ's chain of restaurants. The American monopoly press, hand-cuffed and shackled to large corporations with business in Asia, dare not mention their existence in the U.S.
They leaned on a judge in Chicago who reportedly permitted local extortionists to try to shake them down. They own most every bank in California. They constitute a form of dreaded foreign secret police operating on American soil with total immunity from the American government.

Answer 2

Yes on both counts. I believe Japanese hotels still refuse to accept "tattooed males" under their roofs on the assumption these are Yakuza tattoos, a common identifying mark in Yakuza "families".

Answer 3

I believe the Yakuza was the Japanese equivalent to the mafia! Never heard of them in America!

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