Yakuza facts for kids

Yakuza (Japanese: ヤクザ), also known as gokudō (極道, "the extreme path"), are members of large organized groups in Japan. These groups are sometimes called "chivalrous organizations" by their members. However, the Japanese police and media call them "violence groups."

The Yakuza are one of the world's largest organized groups. They have about 103,000 members. The three biggest Yakuza families are the Yamaguchi-gumi, the Sumiyoshi-kai, and the Inagawa-kai.

What are the Yakuza?

The Yakuza are groups of people who have been around in Japan for a long time. They are known for being very organized. They often have strict rules for their members.

Yakuza and Helping Others

Even though they are known as organized groups, the Yakuza have sometimes helped people. For example, after the big 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, they opened their offices. They helped people who had lost their homes. They also sent many trucks filled with supplies to the areas that were hit by the disaster. This shows a different side to their activities.

Images for kids

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  Kyushu island, a place where many Yakuza members come from.

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  How Yakuza groups are organized.

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  The streets of Shinjuku are a popular place for Yakuza in modern Tokyo.

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  Poster of Drunken Angel, a Yakuza movie from 1948 by Akira Kurosawa.

See also

In Spanish: Yakuza para niños