 | |
| Founded | 1915 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Harukichi Yamaguchi |
| Founding location | Kobe, Japan |
| Years active | 1915–present |
| Territory | Primarily based in Kobe but has territory all over Japan, including in Nagoya, Tokyo and Hawaii, United States |
| Membership (est.) | 3,500 members[1] 3,800 quasi-members[1] |
| Leader(s) | Kenichi Shinoda |
| Activities | Arms trafficking, assassinations, bid rigging, blackmail, bookmaking, contract killing, drug trafficking, extortion, fraud, human trafficking, illegal gambling, Internet pornography, loansharking, match fixing, money laundering, murder, prostitution, racketeering, securities fraud, sōkaiya, and infiltration of legitimate businesses[2][3] |
| Allies | Inagawa-kai |
| Rivals | Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi |
The Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi (六代目山口組, Rokudaime Yamaguchi-gumi, Japanese: [ɾokɯdaime jamaɡɯt͡ɕi ɡɯmi]) is Japan's largest yakuza organization. It is named after its founder Harukichi Yamaguchi. Its origins can be traced back to a loose labor union for dockworkers in Kobe before World War II.[4]
It is one of the largest criminal organizations in the world. According to the National Police Agency, it had 3,500 active members at the end of 2023.[1]
The Yamaguchi-gumi are among the world's wealthiest gangsters, bringing in billions of dollars a year from extortion, gambling, prostitution, arms trafficking, drug trafficking, real estate and construction kickback schemes. They are also involved in stock market manipulation and Internet pornography.[2][3]
The Yamaguchi-gumi has its headquarters in Kobe, but it operates all across Japan and has overseas operations. Its current kumichō (Boss), Shinobu Tsukasa, has declared an expansionist policy—even making inroads into Tokyo, traditionally not Yamaguchi turf.[5] They also have multiple groups working overseas.[6][7]
- ^ a b c "Organized Crime Situation 2023" (PDF). National Police Agency. pp. 2, 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ a b Drury, Colin. "Japan police seek to stop mobsters throwing annual Halloween parties for children". The Independent. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ a b Daisuke Wakabayashi and Jeff Bater (February 23, 2012). "U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Japan Organized Crime Group". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ "Yamaguchi Gumi | JapanVisitor Japan Travel Guide".
- ^ McCurry, Justin (28 August 2015). "Japanese police bracing for gang war as Yamaguchi-gumi mafia group splits". The Guardian via MSN. Archived from the original on 31 August 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
- ^ "Tokyo death sparks gang war". BBC. February 8, 2007.
- ^ "World News Australia". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-05-18.