An elderly yakuza member smoking outside, his expression calm and contemplative
The cultural legacy of Japan’s Yakuza
A reflection on crime, culture, and the enduring symbolism of Japan’s Yakuza
Crime and culture are often viewed as opposing forces—one representing society's failures, the other its achievements. But what happens when criminal organizations don't simply reject cultural values but instead amplify and distort them? Japan's yakuza offer a fascinating lens through which to examine how cultural traditions can paradoxically flourish even within society's shadows.