Japan’s introduction of laws and regulations against organized crime in recent years forced the yakuza into hiding, but in the wake of this comes a new threat in the form of the tokuryū — quasi-gangsters who thrive on anonymity and a lack of structure – with even ordinary people turning to crime.
The rise of ‘dark’ part-time jobs that ensnare young people in illegal activities, blurring the boundaries between the underworld and ordinary citizens, testifies to the growing presence of these quasi-gangsters in society.
Unlike the yakuza, who have a hierarchical structure and strict codes of conduct, tokuryū lack a clear organizational structure, and the geographic scope of their activities is wide, even reaching overseas – the infamous Luffy crime gang that operated out of the Philippines is one such example . .
