Yamaguchi-gumi

The Yamaguchi-gumi is the largest and most powerful of the yakuza, or Japanese organized crime syndicates. The term "yakuza" refers to members of bōryokudan, or "violence groups," which are similar to the Mafia. The Yamaguchi-gumi was founded around 1915 but was significantly developed after World War II by Taoka Kazuo.12

Yakuza members often bear elaborate tattoos and engage in various criminal activities such as extortion, blackmail, smuggling, prostitution, drug trafficking, and gambling. They also control numerous legitimate businesses. The hierarchy within yakuza groups is familial, with a leader known as the oyabun (parent) and followers as kobun (child). Despite their criminal nature, they sometimes style themselves as "chivalrous organizations" and have been known to perform charitable acts.1