#262 - Inside Japan's DEADLIEST Criminal Enterprise | HBO's Jake Adelstein

Dec 29, 2024

Jake Adelstein, an American journalist and author of 'Tokyo Vice,' shares his unique insights on Japan's organized crime, particularly the Yakuza. He discusses the shocking ties between the Yakuza and a former Prime Minister's assassination. Adelstein recounts chilling anecdotes from his time reporting on crime, illustrating the violent culture of the Yakuza. He also reflects on his deep love for Japanese culture, including personal experiences with Zen Buddhism and martial arts, enriching the conversation with humor and intensity.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Diminished Threat and Yakuza Relationships

Jake believes that after Goto's expulsion and move to Cambodia, the threat to his life diminished.
He also discusses how he navigates relationships with Yakuza members for information.

ANECDOTE

Courtesy and Sensitive Photos

Jake emphasizes the importance of politeness and decorum in interactions, even with Yakuza members.
He recounts an instance where courtesy helped him avoid repercussions after publishing a sensitive photo.

ANECDOTE

Human Trafficking Crackdown

The US State Department pressured Japan to address its human trafficking problem.
Jake's investigation revealed a rise in domestic trafficking after a crackdown on international cases.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app