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Why being a Yakuza gang member isn't illegal in Japan
Japan's organised crime syndicates, the Yakuza, are estimated to earn billions every year from loan-sharking, real-estate scams, drugs and protection. Some members have moved on from traditional activities to harder-to-detect financial crimes. One Yakuza gang, the Yamaguchi-Gumi, is reported to earn money from the stock markets and has more than 20,000 members - because it's not illegal to be a member, according to The Economist. The Yakuza gained significant power after the second world war, operating in black markets, building a 180,000-strong membership in its 1960s peak and eventually forging strong ties to ... (full story)