The Yamaguchi family, based out of Kobe, is the largest yakuza family in Japan, and one of the most powerful organized crime syndicates in the world. The family boasts about 39,000 members, makes billions of dollars every year, and has operations overseas. The Yamaguchi is a force to be reckoned with. But more importantly, the [...]
It’s a tense time in America. After several mass shootings in the last year or so (including one not too far from Tofugu HQ), some people in the US have started looking into reforming our gun laws. With reform on the table, some Americans are looking at other countries for ideas on how to shape [...]
Even though Japan is the birthplace of crystal meth (which makes me wonder how the Japanese feel about Breaking Bad), it has notoriously stringent drugs laws. Get caught with some marijuana in Japan, you’ll face severe consequences. But in Japan, like virtually anywhere else in the world, there are just so many drugs out there [...]
Sometimes it can be tough fitting in, especially as an outsider. One of the toughest parts about going to Japan is feeling out of place or not belonging in Japanese society. But fear not! You aren’t the only person who’s ever gone through this cycle of culture shock, and you definitely won’t be the last. [...]
“Drugs are bad, m’kay?” Let’s face it, Japan can be a weird place sometimes.When Japan isn’t inventing such useful things as poop-powered motorcycles, they’re churning out some of the strangest movies known to man. And while you might think that only explanation for Japan’s weirdness must be copious amounts of psychedelics, it turns out that [...]
Everyone’s most loved group, the Yakuza, is once again being brought down by “The Man.” The Japanese organized crime syndicates, known for their strict code of conduct and crimes such as extortion, prostitution, blackmail, protection money and fraud, are now in danger of losing a significant part of their revenue. Last October, organized crime exclusionary laws [...]
