Japan’s largest yakuza crime syndicate has pledged to end its longstanding war with a rival faction and refrain from causing “trouble,” authorities said, as the mafia-like groups contend with falling membership and increased police crackdowns.
Three senior members of the Yamaguchi-gumi visited the Hyogo Prefectural police headquarters on Monday and delivered a letter to officers pledging to “end all internal fighting” and to “never cause any trouble,” police told CNN.
The Yamaguchi-gumi, one of the world’s largest and wealthiest crime gangs, has been embroiled in a bloody feud with splinter groups since 2015, when more than a dozen factions broke away to form the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi.
Since then, intensifying violence between the two warring crime organizations has seen rival gangsters gunned down or stabbed in dozens of incidents, according to police. The armed conflict, often erupting on public streets in cities across central and western Japan, has put pressure on authorities to toughen restrictions on the gangs.
“Yakuza” is a blanket term for Japan’s organized crime groups, which sit in a gray area in the country. Though they are not outlawed, the groups are regulated and monitored by authorities.
In 2020, police formally designated the Yamaguchi-gumi and its splinter group as gangs at war—giving officers the ability to increase surveillance and restrict their activities, including prohibiting the use of their offices and limiting their ability to raise funds.
“Their conflicts have become serious and unpredictable,” the National Police Agency said in 2021. In the past five years, police have also placed several other gangs under close surveillance.
It is unclear whether the rival splinter group, Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi, has responded to the ceasefire pledge. Police said they would be “closely monitoring the movements of both groups” as the declaration to end the turf war may be one-sided.
Membership to yakuza groups across Japan has been in decline over recent decades. In 2024, the number of members of organized crime syndicates stood at 18,800, hitting a record low and falling below 20,000 for the first time, according to police data.
Those official figures show the number of active members of the Yamaguchi-gumi gang have almost halved since 2014—falling from 6,000 then to just 3,300 at the end of last year. The Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi had around 120 members last year.
As yakuza membership falls, however, Japanese authorities are contending with a new criminal phenomenon: the “tokuryu.”
These anonymous gangs are not affiliated with a yakuza family, operating individually or in ad hoc groups. About 10,000 members of tokuryu gangs were investigated last year, with police linking them to violent robberies in Tokyo, and fraud schemes involving romance scams and investments on social media.
Well, grab some popcorn, folks. It seems we’re witnessing the end of an era. The Yamaguchi-gumi, a household name in the annals of organized crime, are now penning letters of promise to the police, vowing to ‘play nice.’ I guess even the mafia have to adapt to the times.
Seriously though, the drop in membership figures is intriguing. They’ve gone from 6,000 to 3,300 in less than a decade. It’s like a gangster exodus. Can’t help but wonder if there’s an underground LinkedIn where all these ex-Yakuza are now seeking legitimate employment.
The emergence of these ‘tokuryu’ gangs, however, is a disturbing twist.
Reading this article reminds me of the intricate web of intrigue in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”. The yakuza, not unlike the protagonist Raskolnikov, find themselves in a moral grey area, navigating a world where their actions are not entirely outlawed but are nonetheless scrutinized by the authorities. However, unlike our tortured Russian, these organizations appear to be taking steps towards self-regulation, or at least, self-preservation.
The pledge to cease internal fighting and “never cause any trouble” comes across as a Shakespearian soliloquy – full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Or perhaps I am too cynical? In a world where membership in these organizations is dwindling, it
Oh snap, the Yamaguchi-gumi are finally hitting that “New Year, New Me” vibe and deciding to squash the beef with their rival gang. 😂 Feels like I just watched a real-life episode of “Yakuza High School Musical” where everyone decides to get along in the final act.
So, they’re saying membership’s dropped below 20,000 for the first time? Sounds like the yakuza’s losing more members than my gym after February hits. But hey, maybe it’s a sign, right? With the cops cracking down and these new ‘tokuryu’ gangs popping up like uninvited sequel spin-offs, might be time to trade in the life of crime for… I dunno, YouTube fame?
But real talk, what’s gonna happen with these so-called ‘tokuryu’ gangs? Are we about to see some kind of “Gangster Idol” competition popping up? “Tonight, on Tokyo’s Got Talent: the battle for the most respectful and law-abiding gang in Japan!”
What do you guys think? Are the yakuza going soft, or is this just the calm before the storm? Drop your theories below. 🍿👀
you got that right
Oh boy, it looks like Alphonzo Clyde, the not-so-gentlemanly scholar and founder of the “Macon Mafia,” is taking a little government-sponsored vacation for the next 15 years. 🏖️ Can’t say I’m surprised, but you’ve gotta wonder, did he think he was in a GTA game with that “gun, scales, and white powder” loadout? Sounds like he hit the trifecta of “Things Not To Have In Your Car 101.” 🚗💨👮♂️
Honestly, founding a gang called the Macon Mafia and operating across Georgia and West Virginia is no small feat; it’s like he was trying to unlock the “Crime Wave” achievement IRL. But with multiple priors over 30 years? Dude’s been playing in hardcore mode without any save points. 🎮
Here’s a thought: if someone made a movie about this guy’s life, who would play him? I’m thinking someone who can balance that “charming yet terrifyingly illegal” vibe. 🎬 And if he had a theme song, what would it be? “Jailhouse Rock” seems a bit on the nose, but hey, classics are classics for a reason.
Let’s chat, folks! What’s your take on the whole “life imitating art” aspect of our dear friend Clyde’s saga? And more importantly, if you were to start a gang (hypothetically, of course), what would it be called, and what would your criminal specialty be? Asking for a friend. 😉 #TheRealLifeHeistMovie
Just when you thought your biggest problem was deciding between PlayStation or Xbox, along comes Alphonzo Clyde turning life into a Grand Theft Auto side mission. 😂 Dude really out here founding the ‘Macon Mafia’ like it’s a new TikTok dance trend. 15 years in the slammer though? That’s a lot of time to think about whether it was worth getting caught with the gangsta starter pack: gun, scales, and the mysterious white powder. 🤔
But seriously, it’s like every time these guys get arrested, they’re with the whole criminal cliché kit. Wonder if there’s a secret store out there. “Ye Olde Gangster’s Emporium: For all your nefarious needs!” 😂
With Clyde’s wrap sheet longer than a CVS receipt, you gotta ask: is 15 years enough, or is it just a slap on the wrist for a lifetime achievement award in villainy? And how does someone even start a gang? Is there like a “Mafia Founder 101” class I missed in college? 🤷♂️
Let’s chat, folks. What’s the weirdest gang name you’ve heard of, and how do they even come up with these names? ‘Macon Mafia’ sounds like they should be smuggling peaches or something. 🍑💼