Modern Japan with Yakuza in the background. (背景にヤクザと近代日本)

The history of Japan is thriving and full of depressing chapters, respectively. The historical periods and its diversification made Japan so complex in notions, colorful, a folklore country. Mustn’t it be forgotten that behind this glistening façade – there are also atrocities of war, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Despite the tremendous bombardment and war destruction – Japanese economy is booming, no one would have ever expected it will rise from the ashes of atomic bombs so quickly and so effectively.  Japan has changed since 1945 – Tokyo nowadays seems to be not in XXI but in XXII century. The US atomic bombardment will always be remembered, however, Japanese people would like to leave it behind. Despite the growth, Japan has also got debts, the debts has to be paid off – some of them, as it is believed caused unemployment and uncertainty. The feeling of sadness is overwhelming.

The transformation it is what interested people, the transformation was not an easy step forward for Japan, the oriental country did not want to absorb the western patterns, the Yakuza as a symbol of … overestimation of values also declines.

After the Second World War Japan was a total ruin, the end of the war had tragic consequences for Japan, utterly destroyed infrastructure seemed to be dead for years, no one believed Japan would pick up from shameful war. Japan had no money, no economy, no hopes for recovery whatsoever. Japanese hated the US occupation in 1945-52, however, it was not that bad for the country, in contrary, it sped the process of recovery up, food supplies and other imported goods, money, as well made Japan as speedo-torpeedo – booming in innovations, ideas, hopes for brighter future. Literature vividly describes the hardships of post-war period, masses of people migrated from rural areas into the cities in search of food ( it was the first thought; to eat, to drink, to survive) – the thoughts about future were later on in their minds, in such devastated country as Japan had been, no one dared to think of a better future but survival.

Japan was a barren land – a waste land. The growth was noticeable in following industrial branches; housing, hospitality, [1]train infrastructure, highway, culture (implementation of western patterns). The traditional Japanese style eased to exist, the western patters were hated and loved at the same time, it was something new, something tempting, unusual but perceived as a threat. Eventually, accepted. The image and role of [2]geisha was also misunderstood, especially by US soldiers.

New laws brought abolition, the famous patrilineal family, so-called [3]“ie” has been abolished.

The policy in Japan during the occupation was supervised by general Douglas MacArthur – the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers. The role of SCAP was to demilitarize, to democratize, to revive the economy, to disperse of powers, it was also responsible for centralization and implementation of western patterns, so-called – westernization of Japan.

The war over the Pacific had a bit different dimension, it lasted four years between 1941-1945; it was a bitter fighting between Japan and America, it was not just the bombs, it was the whole propaganda, which enhanced racial persecution. Japanese citizens were murdered, Japanese women were sold as prostitutes. The black market was thriving, the exchange trade was everywhere; people trade with exchanging kimonos, rice, vegetables, anything they could sell.

End of war always seeks for justice, criminals, naturally, criminal tribunals were brought to life. One and the most important was The International Military Tribunal for the Far East. It prosecuted 28 leaders, they were charged for crimes against humanity, genocide, war atrocities. Occupation was not perfect, failures happened; the changes were not consulted with the local population, people didn’t understand the importance of it, it started changing its perception of the origins they were brought up in, the fear from unknown arose, eventually they agreed, yet, uncertainty reminded.

Political system also changed, it started being less depended from US jurisdiction, in 1955 LPD party was formed, it gave support to Japan Socialist Party, which had its own structure – koenkai – it had one aim – to serve as conduit. Sadly but truly, the Korean War (1950-53) enhanced Japanese militarism and economy, so sad, but so true was the statement of PM Shigeru Yoshida – the war is the “gift from the Gods”.  The relation with China was always violent, it became more stable after signing the Treaty of Peace in 1978.

Poverty developed despite the obvious growth of the economy. Lack of prospects for good, well-paid job forced Japanese people to migrate to the USA, some of them stayed, became noble scientists, others, after graduation of MIT, Harvard or Yale returned to Japan and helped with ongoing transformation. “Self-responsibility” is so hard to acclaim in Japan till nowadays.

The decade of transformation was called “Lost Decade”, it did bring changes, even though, Japanese people were still dissatisfied. The country grew richer, the economy became much more prosperous and efficient, the country stopped being an archaic but westernized, still, something was missing. The pollution of the country had disastrous numbers, the radiation at ground zero areas – was threatening, the help came from the Netherlands, the innovations partially helped to solve the environmental problems.

The government failed – the trust upon its reliability decreased, it dropped down rapidly in 2006 when SARS terrorists attacks had its onset in Tokyo subways. The lethal virus killed many innocent people, guilty of the attack were put on trial, not everyone had been found and brought to justice, yet, memory of what happened is still alive. The crime rates are far too high in Japan, the factors multiple; lack of employment among senior citizens, loneliness, underestimation, or, overloading with duties brings frustration and disillusionment.

For decades Japan stayed away from the military conflicts, it learnt its lesson and was non-engaged, it stopped being a priority on 19^th of June 2015 – the government changed the amendment to constitution and allowed Japanese army being engaged out of Japan borders.

Japan wouldn’t be Japan without Yakuza, would it?

The image of this criminal syndicated is mythical, almost, magical in history and mass culture; the Bushido code determines the way the organization builds its structure and recruits its members. Throughout centuries Yakuza changed, it had its members everywhere, especially in top political and social establishment. It deals with legal and illegal business. It is important to mention, the organization always solves the issues within its infernal affairs. The Japanese police rarely interferes or interacts with Yakuza. The origins of the syndicate are very old and are dated back to 17^th century. The beginning of organization was given by Ronins – samurais who were outcasts of the society, without the land and master upon them. The violence and assassinations became the key policy to make the organization strong and intimidating. Under any circumstances can it be forgotten,  the Yakuza is nothing but mafia, it is not and ordinary one, a completely unlike to Russian, Italian or Irish. The image of Yakuza in media is fake, idealized and triggered by Hollywood movie industry. The tattoos are Yakuza, each member of the syndicate has got it almost all over ones body, some of them are real masterpieces. Unique art for art sake! Yakuza helps, the help was given during the numerous earthquakes that hit Japan, tsunami, after the Fukushima power plant leakage, respectively. Yakuza is omnipresent. The tool by means of Yakuza strengthens its power is – Sokaiye. It involves gathering information (discriminating ones), misconduct of information in order to destroy the opponent, an inconvenient particle. In 2004 the anti-Yakuza legislation was signed, however, it was a futile tool to halt it, Yakuza is still powerful to be eased. It will never be wiped out. Nonetheless, beware and make no mistake, thus, Yakuza will not go gently into the night.

Bibliography

• BBC RADIO 4 Auditions of Andrew Marr and Malevyn Bragg
• Oxfrod History of Japan
• Cambridge History of Japan
• Publication of “ Contemporary Japan, History and Politics since 1980s”by Jeff Kingston

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[1] Most of  the railways in Japan were build by prisoners; European and US pilots who were shot down, and somehow rescued; taken into captivity they had to face unprecedented hardships. Unbearable condition, humiliating basic human right as alike in Nazis concentration camps that were built in Poland.

[2] The often called – a dancing girl was to entertain the men, she was not a prostitute. She had only one guardian she was faithful to.

[3] The origin derives from the old shogunate origins, so 

powerful and profound, that, almost divine.