Yakuza Official

But the modern era is rapidly changing this ancient underworld. As of 2025, Yakuza membership has plummeted to a record low of approximately 18,800, down from a peak of over 184,000 in the 1960s. 1. Origins: From Gamblers to Outcasts

Itinerant street peddlers who sold illicit or shoddy goods at festivals and markets. yakuza

Professional gamblers who operated in clandestine dens. But the modern era is rapidly changing this