The Culture of Policing in Japan

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1 The Culture of Policing in Japan The difference between honor-based and contractbased systems of policing Honor-based systems allow for the weighing of mitigating and contributing factors The act of contrition Japan embarrassing hierarchical difference accepted as part of the social system United States demeaning acceptance of a hierarchical difference is an insult to individualism

2 The Culture of Policing in Japan Giri duty; obligation Ninjo sympathy one feels for another Meiyo honor tied to reputation

3 The Culture of Policing in Japan Culture and Contrition Folktales and personal responsibility moral different in Japan Goldilocks asks forgiveness for her transgressions The wolf in Little Red Riding Hood is contrite

4 The Culture of Policing in Japan Clearance rates for serious crimes (1988): Japan Homicide 98% Rape 87% Robbery 78% Assault 93% Larceny 60% United States 20.9% Admission of guilt prosecuted suspects (1989): Japan 95% United State 50% Admission of guilt all known crimes overall (1989) Japan 37% United States 5.3%

5 The Culture of Policing in Japan Incarceration rates (1987): Japan 44.2 per 100,000 United States 228 per 100,000 Recidivism rates (1987): Japan 47% within 3 years United State 41% within 3 years The United States appears to incarcerate many who do need to be separated from society In Japan, incarceration is a last resort Rate significantly lower, recidivism slightly higher

6 The Culture of Policing in Japan Justice system Adversarial (US) vs. Inquisitorial (Japan even though the system of justice is based on the US system) In the United States the police officer enforces the law In Japan the police officer is a criminal catcher, teacher, and a moralist

7 The Culture of Policing in Japan

8 Yakuza (Boryokudan) roots Bakuto gamblers Tekiya itinerant peddlers Etymology ya ku sa eight, nine, three; a reference to a losing hand in the Japanese card game Oicho-Kabu

9 Why do Yakuza exist? They are functional to society Emile Durkheim noted the functions of deviance Creates social borders Defines morality Clarifies cultural values Creates in and out groups Fosters social cohesion Brings about social innovation

10 The relationship between government and Yakuza Yakuza thrive during times of social upheaval Gurentai service the underground economy Black market hoodlums Tehaishi are Yakuza related labor-brokers The main business of Yakuza Protection Protection from the harassment of others Protection from those who protect

11 Sokaiya - corporate blackmailers Predatory Sokaiya - corporate blackmailers who disrupt shareholder meetings Protective Sokaiya those who stop others from disrupting shareholder meetings Minbo the violent intervention in civil affairs Insurance scams and out of court settlements Debt collection Financial and corporate racketeering Crisis management Jiage land sharking Assisting with lease terminations and property sales

12 Other sources of income Tekiya outdoor stalls Clubs, bars and massage houses protection and occasionally operation Illegal disposing of industrial waste Bankruptcy management Real estate Money-lending Amphetamine dealing [frowned upon] Crisis management Internet scams

13 Relationships Oyabun-Kobun (father-son) Kyodaibun (brother [older/younger])

14 Symbols of Yakusa Yubitsume [enkozume] - finger amputation Irezumi - body tattoos

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17 Commonality of Yakuza/other mafia enterprises All are honor-based enterprises Many of the same business enterprises Protection; Violence (or the threat of); Gambling; Prostitution; Distribution and Sale of Drugs; Bars; Money lending especially to sub-prime candidates; Real estate services; Money Laundering; Scams; Socio-political Intermediaries, etc. Operating outside the recognized and accepted juridical apparatuses