The Yakuza and the Triads: The History of Asia’s Most Notorious Transnational Criminal Organizations

*Includes pictures
*Includes a bibliography for further reading
*Includes a table of contents

A pack of men in sharp, tailored suits and dark sunglasses strut down the street. Their eyes are shielded, but the icy scowl on their faces is a clear sign to stay out of their paths. A few of their collars hang open, showing off a glimpse of the vibrant and intricate ink work on their chests, and presumably, their entire bodies. Tattoos are the norm these days, but then one suddenly spots a man with a peculiarly pint-sized pinkie. Perhaps it is only a deformity, but upon a closer look, it appears that the entire upper half has been sliced cleanly off, almost as if it were done intentionally.

Since the beginning of civilization, crime and injustice has existed. At the same time, gangs in all shapes and sizes have been around, from rebels, dissidents, and rogue soldiers to the average circle of miscreants loitering in alleys and behind convenience stores. In Japan, a gang of a different breed would arise – one underscored by honor, respect, family, and a code of ethics. They are the Yakuza.

The Yakuza claim to be the Robin Hoods of the Far East. While they may lean towards the other side of the law, justice is all they truly aim for. After all, for a time, these tattoo-covered “thugs” have even been praised by the public. On the other hand, most are quick to say otherwise. Either way, the Yakuza is a nefarious network of stone-faced, theatrically tattooed families, with descendants that continue to make even the most seasoned of authorities quake in their shoes.

From running guns to white-collar crimes in cyberspace and illegal seafood, the Triads, the mafia of China, are potent figures in the world of organized crime. Going by enigmatic names like the 14K Triad and the United Bamboo Gang, these criminal groups are enormous, with some organizations boosting memberships ranging in the tens of thousands. A powerful factor in China and throughout Asia, Triads are entrenched in society and the masters of multiple enterprises ranging from extortion, narcotics, prostitution and white collar crime.

Despite their origins in mainland China, the Triads are most powerful in Hong Kong and Taiwan; as an international organization, the Triads have expanded into North America and other Western countries. The various Triad organizations are different but share many similarities, including a hierarchical structure, exclusive membership, common commercial money-making activities, the use of violence as a tool and the codification of rituals for the group. Although the various Triad groups share a common Chinese ethnic origin, these groups are fiercely territorial and do not collaborate together too often.

The modern Triads trace their lineage to a group called the Hung Mun (Heaven and Earth Association). Originating in the Qing Dynasty as a secret society focused on Han solidarity and the restoration of the Ming Dynasty, these groups sought to overthrow the foreign Manchu Qing rulers. The Hung Mun positioned themselves as self-help organizations to disfranchised Chinese workers, providing them money loans and welfare when they were ignored by the government.

From these secretive anti-Qing groups to their current existence as powerful organized crime groups, the Triads have continued to evolve and grow. Taking full advantage of technological changes, the Triads have become major players in cybercrime and the illegal seafood trade, forcing law enforcement to evolve in order to combat them.

This book explores the organizations’ origins and takes a look at the inner workings of the hierarchical organizations, their infamous tattoos, and the conflicting acts of terror and charity carried out by some of the most fascinating and controversial crime syndicates in the world. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about the Yakuza and Triads like never before.