Japanese underworld trying to cash in on tsunami clean-up

In the aftermath of the devastating March tsunami, Japan's yakuza handed out emergency supplies to survivors. Months later, however, the underworld has dispensed with largesse and is instead hoping to cash in on the clean-up effort in ruined towns. "In Japan, the yakuza cut on construction projects is estimated at 3 percent, a vast sum that keeps them afloat," wrote Jeff Kingston of Temple University, Japan Campus, in his recent book, Contemporary Japan.
Guardian (U.K.) | June 15, 2011