Job Discussion Forums

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

I'd definitely have no problem talking with the older (50+) Yakuza, as they are more likely to be mild mannered. They would probably have excellent stories to tell.

spidey · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 12:20 am Post subject:

It has been said that due to the stigma and fear of talking to a Yakuza, they are left feeling quite lonely when they frequent public places like bars. People can recognize them and therefore will not talk to them. This being said, if you happen to strike up a conversation with one of them (not the young ones) they will be quite eager to share their time with you. And probably buy you a drink or a bite to eat. It has also been said that when it comes to friendship, they tend to be very loyal and protective. So if you happen to see a veteran Yakuza sitting at a bar, drinking by himself, it's probably quite safe to approach him and ask him if you could buy him a drink. He'll probably be all smiles. Very Happy

S

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

[quote="spidey"]It has been said that due to the stigma and fear of talking to a Yakuza, they are left feeling quite lonely when they frequent public places like bars. People can recognize them and therefore will not talk to them. This being said, if you happen to strike up a conversation with one of them (not the young ones) they will be quite eager to share their time with you. And probably buy you a drink or a bite to eat. It has also been said that when it comes to friendship, they tend to be very loyal and protective. So if you happen to see a veteran Yakuza sitting at a bar, drinking by himself, it's probably quite safe to approach him and ask him if you could buy him a drink. He'll probably be all smiles. Very Happy

S[/quote]

I think the above is true! I was at an Ezakaya in Shinjuku. I breafly talked to a Yakuza. He seemed to be running the place. A couple of guys followed me down the street, and stopped me and my girlfriend. The guy appeared and a black Benz pulled up. Two big guys dressed in black suits got out. The one guy I breafly talked to asked us if we were alright and then told us to please leave. I don't know what happened to the two guys.

fizayded · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 46 Location: Machida, Tokyo

This is all nuts! I guess it helps to have friends in high places, sounds like these guys have a code of honor, not like all the thug gangs in SoCal.

PKB · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 88 Location: USA

Yeah, they tend to be in abundance in the hostess/snack bar areas - that's their racket. Just don't cause trouble and you'll be OK, it does seem that the bars get a little protection for their protection money. If a bar says "No gaijin!", just smile and leave and head to the next bar, don't cause a scene like my friend does.

Sadken · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 341

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Sadken · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 341

Even as I was typing that I was thinking "they can kill people over the internet by releasing gas through the screen now, can't they?"

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

cafebleu · Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Posts: 404

Hi, I`m back in Japan for a quick visit (I have left and believe me, once you leave here you understand the nonsense you put up with here!) and I just thought I would echo Homer S and tell Nismo that the Yakuza are not the kind of interesting, `honourable` criminals he seems to think.

We are all victims of them in Japan - the high prices attest to that, the human trafficking that is a huge industry attests to that (it includes drugging and raping women from the Philipinnes, Thailand etc and making them prisoners here) and the general fear of usual Japanese people who are the victim of their extortionate practices everyday. Again that hikes prices and also creates a society in which the rule of law does not exist except at some official tatamae level.

Nismo needs to do some research.

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

Cafebleu, you're living in a kurosawa film. The days of the thug are over. You may be referring to bosozoku, or yankii. They are the young punks who, sometimes, ride around on motorcycles and bash foreigners with bats.

Who I am talking about are the 50+ year old veterans who have since settled down. I don't think they are the kind of people who whill jump at any opportunity to speak, but they won't cut your throat for saying hello to them in a pub.

Basically, if you are affected in any way by the Yakuza, you must be participating in some seedy dealings (gambling, prostitution, arms). I don't gamble, I don't buy whores, and I don't use firearms. I can, though, strike up a conversation. Being that I am not in possession of an existing whorehouse, I am in no fear of being threatened to sell it to Yakuza.

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

Nismo

mmmmm, maybe I am naive Wink

, but methinks every mild-mannered 50+ Yakuza was probably a less well-mannered thug some twenty-thirty years ago.........as you move up within the organisation you can leave the dirty work to the younger 'wannabees' (or Watanabes.....? Very Happy

) who have something to prove and are further down the pecking order....

prostitution, human slavery, illegal gambling, protection rackets (= extortion) .......err, I'd rather drink with the, now homeless, 'failed' Salarymen, in the cold, at Ueno Park.... Crying or Very sad

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

I'm going to call off the dogs here (including meself). Nismo has the best of intentions, it's just that his experience in Japan is limited. He's still in the honeymoon period. I think we've all been guilty of being Japan apologists at some point. If, and when, he returns, if he stays he'll see things as they really are (I hope).