In an earlier pixelation, I described how the yakuza, Japan's mafia, has been getting involved in the marriage racket. I attributed this unexpected development to the loss of income from traditional criminal activities, because of the weakening of the overall economy.
Since then, thanks to a concerned reader's response, I have learned that I was mislead. The reason the yakuza are doing so poorly these days is because of competition!
That's correct. There is a powerful organization out there which is trying to usurp the traditional role of the yakuza in Japanese society. That organization is the National Police Agency (NPA). The NPA has been encroaching on traditional sources of yakuza income such as pachinko (pinball gambling) while at the same time, working to keep their other sources of revenue under control. The poor yakuza members are pushed to the periphery, having to work in nuclear plant cleanup operations and other dangerous occupations.
I needed to find out what the plan was behind this move on the part of the NPA into the underworld, so I arranged an interview with Assistant Vice-Director of Vice Control Lieutenant Wairo.
Lt. Wairo: (sporting a short, curly hair-style and sunglasses) Come in and have a seat. What can I do for you?
Pterosaurish: Thank you. I would like to interview you about the NPA's involvement in traditional gang-related activities.
Lt. Wairo: Sure! (leaning back in his chair) What would you like to know.
P: Well.. what is the crime-fighting policy behind this?
Lt. Wairo: Well... as you know we have been cracking down on organized crime now for several hundred years! Our policy has been one of zero tolerance!
P: But what about the pachinko parlors and soapland or hostess-club prostitution that pretty much operate openly around the country?
Lt. Wairo: Oh that! Of course they function openly! If we suppressed them, they would only go underground and we wouldn't be able to see what was going on.
P: But I have read that the NPA's members are involved in receiving money from pachinko gambling and from other organized crime actitivities.
Lt. Wairo: Naturally! This is part of our new strategy, don't you see? In the old days we relied on simple suppression of gangland operations, but now we are doing things smarter! If WE can get the money from these illegal activities, that is less money that flows into the coffers of organized crime! Similarly, we try to get retired NPA officials into top positions in gambling and other similar organizations so that we can deprive organized criminals of this control! This enables us to really push them to the edges, to the fringe work in society like cleaning up the mess at the damaged nuclear power plants or hauling garbage and so on.
P: So in effect, the NPA has taken on the role of another big gang?
Lt. Wairo: Ha ha ha! Not only BIG! We are far and away the biggest! All of the OTHER criminal organizations... No, I mean... if you add all the members of criminal organizations in Japan together, it only comes to 102,400 members! We have 280,500 police officers all across the country! Each is ready to take on serious responsibilities in our efforts to displace organized crime in our society.
P: I see. So what is the NPA's final goal in dealing with organized crime?
Lt. Wairo: We understand that organized crime has a traditional role in Japanese society, and we don't want to change that. We would like the gangsters to stick to running the food booths at festivals and getting their elaborate tattoos, simple harmless operations, and leave the hard-core stuff to us.
P: And this will bring a more peaceful society?
Lt. Wairo: You understand perfectly. If we at the NPA run all of the so called criminal activities, many benefits will accrue to the nation. Taxes will be paid properly, NPA officials will have something to do after they retire, and the average citizen will know that they don't have to worry about dangerous gangsters anymore!
P: Thank you so much for you time today.
Lt. Wairo: Absolutely a pleasure! Here, let me give you this ad for the new soapland that opened up around the corner; no gangsters there at all!
P: Er... thank you, but I have to be getting back.
Lt. Wairo: No problem! Let me know if you have any other questions!
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