yes the Japanese mob has ready access to guns and knives but are pikers compared to our mob pros.
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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| A "Yakuza War" has started in Central Tokyo |
| 2007-02-07 |
| Yesterday morning at 10am in the well-to-do area of TokyoÂ’s Nishi Azabu, a member of one Yakuza gang (the Yamaguchi-gumi) shot and killed a very senior member (a kanbu, which roughly translates to "director") of another Yakuza gang (the Sumiyoshi-kai) on the side of the main road between Roppongi and Shibuya, all in broad daylight. This has lit a match of dangerous and lethal proportions, escalating a rift that has been brewing in Tokyo for some time now, starting the much feared "Yakuza war" in central Tokyo, that many have been predicting since the end of 2005. This is directly relevant for a few of us who write for stippy, because it has all happened literally right on our doorstep. One of the things we all like and respect about Japan - it's shiny reputation as a "safe" country - seems to have become tarnished and is somewhat crumbling at the sides. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #15 Icerigger: Black Rain was my first thought. This was closely followed by "cool!" and me making mid-'80s guitar noises and imagining I had mirrored aviators and a Kawi Ninja. |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-02-07 12:23 |
| #14 I read a book on the Yakuza some time ago and one thing really struck me. Japan has a really high number of arrests, it is a point of pride that they solve some insanely large amount of crimes. Well this book pointed out that when the cops can't solve a crime they will often knock on the door of the local Yakuza place and the youngest member is sent out to take the rap for the unsolved crime. Citizens think crimes are being solved, Cops get great arrest stats, the Yakuza protect their higher ups (who were probably involved in some way) and the newguy doing the time proves his loyalty. I found that an amazing insight into the Japanese. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2007-02-07 12:00 |
| #13 Kanbu Sugiura sleeps with the nigiru. You mean Don Surgio sleeps with the calamari ? |
| Posted by: wxjames 2007-02-07 10:54 |
| #12 "Blood Balance Sheet" How, I dunno, civilized? Don't think the Post would use that as a headline if this was happening in NYC. Anybody get a flak jacket with a whale in it delivered yet? P.S.: Whoever wrote this did a great job. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-02-07 10:34 |
| #11 Where are the Ninjas? |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2007-02-07 10:12 |
| #10 Missed the connection there, eric. Thanks for pointing that out. I haven't had my second cup of coffee yet. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2007-02-07 09:23 |
| #9 Deacon, What part of love hotel did you misunderstand? :-) |
| Posted by: Eric Jablow 2007-02-07 08:53 |
| #8 I guess it proves the old saying...When guns are outlawed only outlaws have guns |
| Posted by: Jim 2007-02-07 08:48 |
| #7 For a minute there I thought it said Jaccuzi Wars. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2007-02-07 08:46 |
| #6 In Tokyo? Who'da guessed? |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2007-02-07 08:24 |
| #5 "Now you listen to me, you smooth talking son-of-a-bitch. Let me lay it on the line for you and your boss, whoever he is. Johnny Fusuki will never get that movie. I don't care how many of you Yakuza greaseball goombahs come out of the woodwork." The next morning, he woke up to find the severed head of his favorite Pokemon in the bed next to him. |
| Posted by: Mike 2007-02-07 08:12 |
| #4 Shades of ole Chicago. 39,000? Wow, had no idea. Anyone remember the movie Black Rain? Still amazed at what one can learn on this board. Got to love it. |
| Posted by: Icerigger 2007-02-07 08:12 |
| #3 "Stock up on the sushi. We're going to the futons." Clemenza-san |
| Posted by: Steve 2007-02-07 07:29 |
| #2 A "Yakuza War" has started in Central Tokyo yes the Japanese mob has ready access to guns and knives but are pikers compared to our mob pros. |
| Posted by: RD 2007-02-07 00:52 |
| #1 "Stock up on the cannoli. We're goin' to the mattresses." /Clemenza |
| Posted by: PBMcL 2007-02-07 00:33 |