HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

March 31, 2011. Yakuza active in earthquake/tsunami relief effort in Japan

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

The yakuza organized crime groups have delivered tons of relief goods to victims of Japan's March 11th earthquake and tsunami, with at least 70 yakuza trucks dispatched to the Tokyo and Kobe regions to deliver US$500,000 in food, water, blankets, and toiletries. While the Japanese government and some international aid slowly reached afflicted areas, yakuza groups managed to fill in the gaps in some areas. Some analysts believe the yakuza were driven by a need to help those seen as outcasts or victims, as their ranks are filled with discriminated minorities such as ethnic Koreans and "burakumin," those who work in businesses related to death, including leather tanners and butchers. Others believe the yakuzas are positioning themselves to obtain contracts with construction firms ahead of the rebuilding effort. Others believe it is public relations stunt.

There are an estimated 80,000 yakuza in Japan, although most are very small. The Sumiyoshi-kai and the Inakawa-kai, Japan's second and third largest yakuza, are reportedly the most active in the relief effort.