Transnational organized crime syndicates originating in Japan, known for strict codes of conduct, ritual practices like yubitsume, and full-body tattoos. They peaked in 1963 with 184,100 members but have since declined to about 17,600 members and quasi-members in 2025. They engage in various criminal activities and operate internationally, with principal clans including Yamaguchi-gumi, Sumiyoshi-kai, and Inagawa-kai.
CRIMENET has extracted 31 linkages for this organization, including 19 cooperative ties across 13 organizations, 3 conflicts across 3 organizations, 9 other connections and footprints in 12 countries.
In the Philippines , yakuza trick girls from impoverished villages into coming to Japan by promising them respectable jobs with good wages. Instead, they are forced into becoming sex workers and strippers.
In addition to their presence in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand , the Philippines , and Vietnam , yakuza groups also operate in South Korea , China , Taiwan , and in the Pacific Islands (mainly Hawaii ).
The presence of individuals affiliated with the yakuza in the United States has increased tremendously since the 1960s, and although much of their activity is concentrated in Hawaii , they have made their presence known in other parts of the country, especially in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area , as well as Seattle , Las Vegas , Arizona , Virginia , Chicago , and New York City .
In addition to their presence in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand , the Philippines , and Vietnam , yakuza groups also operate in South Korea , China , Taiwan , and in the Pacific Islands (mainly Hawaii ).