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The Last Yakuza: Life and Death in the Japanese Underworld
The Last Yakuza tells the history of the yakuza like it's never been told before.
Makoto Saigo is half-American and half-Japanese in small-town Japan with a set of talents limited to playing guitar and picking fights. With rock stardom off the table, he turns toward the only place where you can start from the bottom and move up through sheer merit, loyalty, and brute force - the yakuza.
Saigo, nicknamed Tsunami, quickly realises that even within the organisation, opinions are as varied as they come, and a clash of philosophies can quickly become deadly. One screw-up can cost you your life, or at least a finger.
The internal politics of the yakuza are dizzyingly complex, and between the ever-shifting web of alliances and the encroaching hand of the law that pushes them further and further underground, Saigo finds himself in the middle of a defining decades-long battle that will determine the future of the yakuza.
Written with the insight of an expert on Japanese organised crime and the compassion of a longtime friend, investigative journalist Jake Adelstein presents a sprawling biography of a yakuza, through postwar desperation, to bubble-era optimism, to the present. Including a cast of memorable yakuza bosses - Coach, the Buddha, and more - this is a story about the rise and fall of a man, a country, and a dishonest but sometimes honorable way of life on the brink of being lost.
'Journalist Adelstein parlays decades of reporting on Japanese organised crime into a propulsive history of the yakuza. Drawing on interviews with both his yakuza and Japanese law enforcement contacts, he examines how yakuza groups obtained power ... He's especially good at tracing the yakuza's political influence in Japan, explaining how they bribed and blackmailed legislators into opposing bills that would have curbed their influence. Painstakingly reported and paced like a thriller, this is a must read for anyone interested in organised crime.' -Publishers Weekly
Makoto Saigo is half-American and half-Japanese in small-town Japan with a set of talents limited to playing guitar and picking fights. With rock stardom off the table, he turns toward the only place where you can start from the bottom and move up through sheer merit, loyalty, and brute force - the yakuza.
Saigo, nicknamed Tsunami, quickly realises that even within the organisation, opinions are as varied as they come, and a clash of philosophies can quickly become deadly. One screw-up can cost you your life, or at least a finger.
The internal politics of the yakuza are dizzyingly complex, and between the ever-shifting web of alliances and the encroaching hand of the law that pushes them further and further underground, Saigo finds himself in the middle of a defining decades-long battle that will determine the future of the yakuza.
Written with the insight of an expert on Japanese organised crime and the compassion of a longtime friend, investigative journalist Jake Adelstein presents a sprawling biography of a yakuza, through postwar desperation, to bubble-era optimism, to the present. Including a cast of memorable yakuza bosses - Coach, the Buddha, and more - this is a story about the rise and fall of a man, a country, and a dishonest but sometimes honorable way of life on the brink of being lost.
'Journalist Adelstein parlays decades of reporting on Japanese organised crime into a propulsive history of the yakuza. Drawing on interviews with both his yakuza and Japanese law enforcement contacts, he examines how yakuza groups obtained power ... He's especially good at tracing the yakuza's political influence in Japan, explaining how they bribed and blackmailed legislators into opposing bills that would have curbed their influence. Painstakingly reported and paced like a thriller, this is a must read for anyone interested in organised crime.' -Publishers Weekly
391 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2023
133 people are currently reading
6477 people want to read
About the author
Jake Adelstein
17 books761 followersJake Adelstein has been an investigative journalist in Japan since 1993 and low-ranking Zen Buddhist priest since 2017--and is unlikely to ever achieve satori. That's okay. He's considered one of the foremost experts on organized crime in Japan and works as a writer and consultant in Japan, the United States and France. He is the author of Tokyo Vice: A Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan (Vintage) and has written two other books published by Marchialy in France.
𝗝’𝗔𝗜 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗨 𝗠𝗢𝗡 𝗔̂𝗠𝗘 𝗘𝗡 𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗖𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗦 (I Sold My Soul For Bitcoins) 2019
𝗝’𝗔𝗜 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗨 𝗠𝗢𝗡 𝗔̂𝗠𝗘 𝗘𝗡 𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗖𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗦 (I Sold My Soul For Bitcoins) 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
October 12, 2017
2.5 stars
it just was not that interesting of a book. Adelstein is not a very good nor skilled storyteller, it all becomes a huge glob of texts and names without really any personality given to his subject. It could have been so much more gripping.
it just was not that interesting of a book. Adelstein is not a very good nor skilled storyteller, it all becomes a huge glob of texts and names without really any personality given to his subject. It could have been so much more gripping.
February 13, 2019
Jake is Back
Jake is back, again on yakuza trail, showing the darker part of Japan. Is it good? Well.. Recently I re-read Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan (yes, he loves long titles..), which was fascinating at the first read, but at the second time showed some flaws. I always say: "even if it is (based on) true story, it does not necessarily mean, it is worth telling". Jake Adelstein is for sure a very thorough investigator-journalist, but I question his ability to pick the most interesting material for his books.
The last Yakuza is similar to the Tokyo Vice, consist of set of various life stories, this time about author's bodyguard - ex-yakuza Makoto Saigō - that we've met in his previous book. His story gives an insight into 20 years of life of an active yakuza member, history of the organization, structure and customs. Focus is put mostly on Saigō and this is probably my main issue with the book. There are parts that are really fascinating, showing Japanese mentality, culture, honor (or dishonor) among yakuza. And then there are weak chapters, that describe silly financial scams, his narcotic abuse or some backstories, that were not really interesting. I can imagine that author wanted to show true story of Saigō (that was his promised "payment" for protection), but in my opinion not all of those stories are "good enough" to be included in the book.
Another thing surprised me only after finishing the book. I started to think if the author even once explained what is the meaning of the word "yakuza". I scrolled through the book and I could not find it! Various concepts are explained through many chapters, sometimes even using kanji characters (that's awesome!), but this most basic word is not explained. Maybe it is too obvious for the author or maybe it's origins are not very clear, but I missed a lot a single chapter with some basic information or vocabulary for "gaijins". The stories of Inagawa-kai originators are a bit too confusing as a base.
Another confusing part is
Overall, that's a good book. Fascinating subject. Maybe missing a final edit that would put more focus on the most interesting parts. An extra star for all Japan-geeks (like me :)
Jake is back, again on yakuza trail, showing the darker part of Japan. Is it good? Well.. Recently I re-read Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan (yes, he loves long titles..), which was fascinating at the first read, but at the second time showed some flaws. I always say: "even if it is (based on) true story, it does not necessarily mean, it is worth telling". Jake Adelstein is for sure a very thorough investigator-journalist, but I question his ability to pick the most interesting material for his books.
The last Yakuza is similar to the Tokyo Vice, consist of set of various life stories, this time about author's bodyguard - ex-yakuza Makoto Saigō - that we've met in his previous book. His story gives an insight into 20 years of life of an active yakuza member, history of the organization, structure and customs. Focus is put mostly on Saigō and this is probably my main issue with the book. There are parts that are really fascinating, showing Japanese mentality, culture, honor (or dishonor) among yakuza. And then there are weak chapters, that describe silly financial scams, his narcotic abuse or some backstories, that were not really interesting. I can imagine that author wanted to show true story of Saigō (that was his promised "payment" for protection), but in my opinion not all of those stories are "good enough" to be included in the book.
Another thing surprised me only after finishing the book. I started to think if the author even once explained what is the meaning of the word "yakuza". I scrolled through the book and I could not find it! Various concepts are explained through many chapters, sometimes even using kanji characters (that's awesome!), but this most basic word is not explained. Maybe it is too obvious for the author or maybe it's origins are not very clear, but I missed a lot a single chapter with some basic information or vocabulary for "gaijins". The stories of Inagawa-kai originators are a bit too confusing as a base.
Another confusing part is
Overall, that's a good book. Fascinating subject. Maybe missing a final edit that would put more focus on the most interesting parts. An extra star for all Japan-geeks (like me :)
November 3, 2023
The Last Yakuza picks up and dives deep where Tokyo Vice left off, and Jake Adelstein hasn't lost a bit of his talent for shocking, amazing, and speaking from harrowing personal experience about people most of us would prefer not to meet in a dark alley.
This story of one man's descent into the underworld is based on the life of a mob boss who slipped into gangsterhood early in life and served as Adelstein's bodyguard after he reported on a yakuza kingpin who broke the rules of both civilized society and the organization he led. This isn't a biography—it's more a portrait of a gangster's life, rounded out with details from more than one source to give 360-degree insights into the pressures of Japanese culture and this very particular hidden society. The side quests that shed light on the main character's life are as gripping as the narrative, offering well-researched insights into everything from gangster tattoos to human kamikaze torpedoes.
Few foreigners have personal ties with Japanese organized crime figures or Japanese police because they are notoriously closed to outsiders. Adelstein is not only on speaking terms with both, he has lived in Japan long enough to accurately depict the forces that draw someone into a life they never sought and explain what insults, betrayal and loyalty look like in a culture that outsiders can only glimpse through the skewed lenses of movies and urban legend.
Highly recommended as both a page turner and food for thought.
This story of one man's descent into the underworld is based on the life of a mob boss who slipped into gangsterhood early in life and served as Adelstein's bodyguard after he reported on a yakuza kingpin who broke the rules of both civilized society and the organization he led. This isn't a biography—it's more a portrait of a gangster's life, rounded out with details from more than one source to give 360-degree insights into the pressures of Japanese culture and this very particular hidden society. The side quests that shed light on the main character's life are as gripping as the narrative, offering well-researched insights into everything from gangster tattoos to human kamikaze torpedoes.
Few foreigners have personal ties with Japanese organized crime figures or Japanese police because they are notoriously closed to outsiders. Adelstein is not only on speaking terms with both, he has lived in Japan long enough to accurately depict the forces that draw someone into a life they never sought and explain what insults, betrayal and loyalty look like in a culture that outsiders can only glimpse through the skewed lenses of movies and urban legend.
Highly recommended as both a page turner and food for thought.
February 11, 2025
For me this was completely unreadable. I very much wanted to read the book, but I struggled with the Japanese names, places, etc. It quickly became too hard to keep track of anything. True, I did not read much of the book before putting the DNF to it. Boring, slow, repetitive, too much back and forth, disjointed a real chore. Thanks to Goodreads and Jake for the copy of the book to read.
January 11, 2020
J'ai arrêté ma lecture vers la page 150.
J'ai adoré le premier tome de Jake Adelstein mais celui-ci est une corvée.
Je n'ai pas aimé la façon dont c'était écrit, je n'ai pas accroché au contenu (j'avais l'impression d'être dans un cours d'histoire sur le Japon avec un prof journaliste.)
Quelques thèmes sont intéressants comme celui sur les tatouages. Bref, dur dur de rentrer dedans, même pour une grande fan du Japon comme moi.
J'ai adoré le premier tome de Jake Adelstein mais celui-ci est une corvée.
Je n'ai pas aimé la façon dont c'était écrit, je n'ai pas accroché au contenu (j'avais l'impression d'être dans un cours d'histoire sur le Japon avec un prof journaliste.)
Quelques thèmes sont intéressants comme celui sur les tatouages. Bref, dur dur de rentrer dedans, même pour une grande fan du Japon comme moi.
February 1, 2024
The information, facts and history are absolutely fascinating and will keep you riveted the entire time. However, the writing style is 90% 'telling' and not showing, which can make it a bit of a slog at times. Plus the way it jumps around chronologically makes it hard to keep up occasionally. Otherwise, a really interesting read for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of the Yakuza.
June 7, 2023
Livre intéressant, mais pas transcendant. L’histoire de Saigo est bien retranscrite même si j’ai parfois l’impression qu’il y a eu des trous dans la raquette. Par contre, il y a (trop ?) de personnes citées ; j’ai assez régulièrement oublié qui était la personne dont on parlait, car les noms se mélangeaient dans ma tête.
Ce livre reste plus une présentation concise du milieu yakuza au Japon par le biais du yakuza nommé Saigo qu’une histoire ou biographie. Comme pour Tokyo Vice, je trouve le partie pris de la maison d’édition française trompeuse ; elle aurait dû suivre la présentation et le titre anglais qui est bien plus honnête sur le contenu du livre (un condensé de faits et anecdotes plutôt qu’un roman).
Ce livre reste plus une présentation concise du milieu yakuza au Japon par le biais du yakuza nommé Saigo qu’une histoire ou biographie. Comme pour Tokyo Vice, je trouve le partie pris de la maison d’édition française trompeuse ; elle aurait dû suivre la présentation et le titre anglais qui est bien plus honnête sur le contenu du livre (un condensé de faits et anecdotes plutôt qu’un roman).
November 1, 2017
Après Tokyo Vice et sa descente dans les bas-fonds tokyoïtes du côté des journalistes et de la police, Jake Adelstein nous entraîne cette fois-ci au sein de la mafia japonaise et de ses familles à travers les yeux et la vie de Saigo qui gravira tout au long de sa vie les échelons de la hiérarchie mafieuse jusqu'à sa chute au sein de l'organisation et le déclin de cette dernière.
Encore une fois, l'auteur plonge son lecteur au cœur du Japon, de ses zones d'ombre, de ses failles et à travers les arcanes de cette économie souterraine que l'on retrouve à tous les niveaux de la société japonaise. Encore une fois, l'auteur nous dévoile de l'intérieur, les codes, les rites, la complexité de ces familles mafieuses, leur présence au sein des plus grandes entreprises et leur implication dans la politique de la société nippone : "Le Japon possède deux gouvernements. L'un est public et l'autre est celui qui donne les ordres aux institutions publiques : c'est le gouvernement de l'ombre." comme l'explique le réalisateur Takeshi Kitano. Encore une fois, j'ai été tenue en haleine du début à la fin par ce livre qui se lit comme un roman policier.
La force de Jake Adelstein, que ce soit dans Tokyo Vice ou dans ce livre, c'est de savoir rendre ses personnages attachants. Bien sûr on sait que ce sont des tueurs, des trafiquants de drogues d'une violence inouïe, mais l'auteur réussit à les humaniser voire à les rendre sympathiques, certains étant plus proches des "Tontons flingeurs" que du "Parrain". J'ai beaucoup aimé le personnage de Saigo, ses contradictions, son code d'honneur. Saigo qui se désole de voir les yakuzas devenir de simples petites frappes sans foi ni loi, n'hésitant plus à agresser des passants contrairement aux règles instituées au sein de la mafia "Vols, braquages, agressions sexuelles ou toute activité s'écartant de la noble voie sont proscrites". J'ai trouvé cette histoire particulièrement intéressante, à travers la vie de Saigo ce sont les 50 dernières années de la société japonaise et de son évolution que l'on découvre. Comment la volonté politique d'essayer de purger l'économie de l'argent des yakuzas a précipité le déclin de ces derniers. En instaurant les lois de 2009 qui sanctionnent et criminalisent les sociétés impliquées avec les yakuzas, le gouvernement japonais a clairement affirmé sa volonté de mettre un frein à la mainmise des familles mafieuses sur l'économie japonaise. Depuis cette date, tous les contrats commerciaux doivent comporter une mention indiquant que leur société n'a aucun lien avec la mafia, cela se répercute à tous niveaux de la vie quotidienne. Pour la location de voiture, d'un appartement, la réservation d'un hôtel, l'achat d'un téléphone… une case mentionne "je n'appartiens pas au crime organisé". Si vous mentez sur ce point, n'importe quel employé peut appeler la police qui vous arrête pour parjure. Autant dire que la vie peut vite devenir très compliquée… Si cette loi a malgré tout ses limites elle a sans doute été l'une des mesures les plus importantes de ces dernières années pour lutter contre le crime organisé et a précipité la chute des familles mafieuses et le déclin du nombre de ses membres. Saigo en est bien conscient et réalise assez vite qu'il va falloir qu'il se trouve une porte de sortie lui permettant de garder la face et de protéger sa famille quitte à y laisser sa vie… Une très bonne lecture qui permet de découvrir de l'intérieur le monde si particulier et étonnant des yakuzas.
Jake Adelstein étant journaliste, son style est concis, précis, dynamique, direct. Le livre se découpe en chapitre assez courts qui viennent rythmer et structurer le récit. L'on retrouve régulièrement des phrases et des noms en japonais mais ces derniers s'intègrent parfaitement dans le récit et donnent un côté immersif au texte.
Je conseille vraiment ce livre à tous ceux qui aiment le Japon et qui souhaitent découvrir un autre aspect de ce pays surprenant et plein de contrastes. Et puis comme toujours avec cet éditeur, il faut noter le soin particulier apporté au choix du papier, aux typographies, à la mise en page.
http://bidules16.canalblog.com/archiv...
Encore une fois, l'auteur plonge son lecteur au cœur du Japon, de ses zones d'ombre, de ses failles et à travers les arcanes de cette économie souterraine que l'on retrouve à tous les niveaux de la société japonaise. Encore une fois, l'auteur nous dévoile de l'intérieur, les codes, les rites, la complexité de ces familles mafieuses, leur présence au sein des plus grandes entreprises et leur implication dans la politique de la société nippone : "Le Japon possède deux gouvernements. L'un est public et l'autre est celui qui donne les ordres aux institutions publiques : c'est le gouvernement de l'ombre." comme l'explique le réalisateur Takeshi Kitano. Encore une fois, j'ai été tenue en haleine du début à la fin par ce livre qui se lit comme un roman policier.
La force de Jake Adelstein, que ce soit dans Tokyo Vice ou dans ce livre, c'est de savoir rendre ses personnages attachants. Bien sûr on sait que ce sont des tueurs, des trafiquants de drogues d'une violence inouïe, mais l'auteur réussit à les humaniser voire à les rendre sympathiques, certains étant plus proches des "Tontons flingeurs" que du "Parrain". J'ai beaucoup aimé le personnage de Saigo, ses contradictions, son code d'honneur. Saigo qui se désole de voir les yakuzas devenir de simples petites frappes sans foi ni loi, n'hésitant plus à agresser des passants contrairement aux règles instituées au sein de la mafia "Vols, braquages, agressions sexuelles ou toute activité s'écartant de la noble voie sont proscrites". J'ai trouvé cette histoire particulièrement intéressante, à travers la vie de Saigo ce sont les 50 dernières années de la société japonaise et de son évolution que l'on découvre. Comment la volonté politique d'essayer de purger l'économie de l'argent des yakuzas a précipité le déclin de ces derniers. En instaurant les lois de 2009 qui sanctionnent et criminalisent les sociétés impliquées avec les yakuzas, le gouvernement japonais a clairement affirmé sa volonté de mettre un frein à la mainmise des familles mafieuses sur l'économie japonaise. Depuis cette date, tous les contrats commerciaux doivent comporter une mention indiquant que leur société n'a aucun lien avec la mafia, cela se répercute à tous niveaux de la vie quotidienne. Pour la location de voiture, d'un appartement, la réservation d'un hôtel, l'achat d'un téléphone… une case mentionne "je n'appartiens pas au crime organisé". Si vous mentez sur ce point, n'importe quel employé peut appeler la police qui vous arrête pour parjure. Autant dire que la vie peut vite devenir très compliquée… Si cette loi a malgré tout ses limites elle a sans doute été l'une des mesures les plus importantes de ces dernières années pour lutter contre le crime organisé et a précipité la chute des familles mafieuses et le déclin du nombre de ses membres. Saigo en est bien conscient et réalise assez vite qu'il va falloir qu'il se trouve une porte de sortie lui permettant de garder la face et de protéger sa famille quitte à y laisser sa vie… Une très bonne lecture qui permet de découvrir de l'intérieur le monde si particulier et étonnant des yakuzas.
Jake Adelstein étant journaliste, son style est concis, précis, dynamique, direct. Le livre se découpe en chapitre assez courts qui viennent rythmer et structurer le récit. L'on retrouve régulièrement des phrases et des noms en japonais mais ces derniers s'intègrent parfaitement dans le récit et donnent un côté immersif au texte.
Je conseille vraiment ce livre à tous ceux qui aiment le Japon et qui souhaitent découvrir un autre aspect de ce pays surprenant et plein de contrastes. Et puis comme toujours avec cet éditeur, il faut noter le soin particulier apporté au choix du papier, aux typographies, à la mise en page.
http://bidules16.canalblog.com/archiv...
November 16, 2023
I wanted to read this because I’ve enjoyed Jake Adelstein’s Evaporated podcast – a wide-ranging examination of how and why so many people disappear in Japan. Like Evaporated, The Last Yakuza does have some interesting insights into Japanese life, but it doesn’t have the same spark for me.
We get a comprehensive account of Saigo’s involvement in criminal gangs and right-wing politics, but the writing doesn’t bring the key players to life. There are some exceptions – for example the clash of cultures which Saigo’s Japanese-American mother experiences and the impact on her husband and the young Saigo are well drawn. Overall though, the account of Saigo’s life is very much who did what when. At least it doesn’t glamorise gangsters – their lives come across as brutal but banal.
Adelstein discloses at the beginning that he agreed to write Saigo’s story in exchange for him acting as bodyguard to him and his family. Perhaps he wouldn’t otherwise have chosen to write this book?
If you have a strong interest in the Yakuza and its structures this will be interesting but I wouldn’t recommend it for the general reader looking for a good story.
We get a comprehensive account of Saigo’s involvement in criminal gangs and right-wing politics, but the writing doesn’t bring the key players to life. There are some exceptions – for example the clash of cultures which Saigo’s Japanese-American mother experiences and the impact on her husband and the young Saigo are well drawn. Overall though, the account of Saigo’s life is very much who did what when. At least it doesn’t glamorise gangsters – their lives come across as brutal but banal.
Adelstein discloses at the beginning that he agreed to write Saigo’s story in exchange for him acting as bodyguard to him and his family. Perhaps he wouldn’t otherwise have chosen to write this book?
If you have a strong interest in the Yakuza and its structures this will be interesting but I wouldn’t recommend it for the general reader looking for a good story.
December 6, 2023
I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this.
This was a very welcome addition to help me read more non-fiction this year. A fascinating story that taught me so much about a subject I didn’t have a lot of background knowledge about.
This is almost a biography as it follows the story of a specific member of the Yakuza whilst providing wider historical context and information about the Yakuza. This book does contain violence, drugs and crime. It also shows how the Yakuza has changed over time and the impact on the main character.
I found this really interesting, there was a brief moment where I was a little confused by the timeline but on the whole this was easy to follow and a gripping story.
This was a very welcome addition to help me read more non-fiction this year. A fascinating story that taught me so much about a subject I didn’t have a lot of background knowledge about.
This is almost a biography as it follows the story of a specific member of the Yakuza whilst providing wider historical context and information about the Yakuza. This book does contain violence, drugs and crime. It also shows how the Yakuza has changed over time and the impact on the main character.
I found this really interesting, there was a brief moment where I was a little confused by the timeline but on the whole this was easy to follow and a gripping story.
August 24, 2024
“We can evade the law, but we can’t cheat karma” (p. 392, Libby).
Well, despite the leading review of this book simply being a douchie tweet, Adelstein’s 30 years of following Japanese police and yakuza shines through, and the story of Makoto Saigō is truly fascinating. He gives us a rich tapestry of Japanese society across 100 years of the yakuza, now in its death throes. His writing style is journalistic, for sure, but professional and penetrating. I’ve been smitten by Japanese culture since living in Hawaii in the early 90s and living in Japan for three-month stints in the late 90s and early 00s. Adelstein reminds me why it’s such a wonderful, complex, and sophisticated country.
Thank you, Public Library System, for having this title available. #FReadomFighters
For those living in US counties and states turning backwards into puritanical idiocracies, The Banned Book Club is here to toss you an app-lifeline (https://thepalaceproject.org/banned-b...). Spread the word. Knowledge is power against racism, against xenophobia, against ignorance, against fascism.
Well, despite the leading review of this book simply being a douchie tweet, Adelstein’s 30 years of following Japanese police and yakuza shines through, and the story of Makoto Saigō is truly fascinating. He gives us a rich tapestry of Japanese society across 100 years of the yakuza, now in its death throes. His writing style is journalistic, for sure, but professional and penetrating. I’ve been smitten by Japanese culture since living in Hawaii in the early 90s and living in Japan for three-month stints in the late 90s and early 00s. Adelstein reminds me why it’s such a wonderful, complex, and sophisticated country.
Thank you, Public Library System, for having this title available. #FReadomFighters
For those living in US counties and states turning backwards into puritanical idiocracies, The Banned Book Club is here to toss you an app-lifeline (https://thepalaceproject.org/banned-b...). Spread the word. Knowledge is power against racism, against xenophobia, against ignorance, against fascism.
November 7, 2024
Thanks to Little Brown Books for my Copy of The Last Yakuza by Jake Adelstein
As a fan of the Yakuza games, I was intrigued by this non-fiction read, as I wanted to learn more about the background of the Yakuza. I found it very accessible to explore this underworld, particularly through the story of Saigo. I sometimes forgot how young he was, especially at the beginning when he set up his office in Machida at just 17 years old. The book presents the complexity of the Yakuza in a way that avoids Western bias, even though it’s written by a non-Japanese author. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Japanese criminal world and its social dynamics from the 1940s onward. I found it fascinating to discover how Japan ended up in a military dictatorship that led it into the Second World War.
#TheLastYakuza #JakeAdelstein #YakuzaGames #JapaneseCulture #CriminalUnderworld #HistoryUnfolded #FascinatingReads #WorldWarII #Saigo #YakuzaSociety
As a fan of the Yakuza games, I was intrigued by this non-fiction read, as I wanted to learn more about the background of the Yakuza. I found it very accessible to explore this underworld, particularly through the story of Saigo. I sometimes forgot how young he was, especially at the beginning when he set up his office in Machida at just 17 years old. The book presents the complexity of the Yakuza in a way that avoids Western bias, even though it’s written by a non-Japanese author. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Japanese criminal world and its social dynamics from the 1940s onward. I found it fascinating to discover how Japan ended up in a military dictatorship that led it into the Second World War.
#TheLastYakuza #JakeAdelstein #YakuzaGames #JapaneseCulture #CriminalUnderworld #HistoryUnfolded #FascinatingReads #WorldWarII #Saigo #YakuzaSociety
September 6, 2025
The Yakuza is one group that I find endlessly fascinating. Their structure and their place in Japanese society is so odd to my America mind where crime groups here are so insanely criminalized.
I read Tokyo Vice years ago and loved a deeper look into the Japanese underground. I didn’t know the author had a new book and I instantly snatched it up and boy howdy I was not disappointed.
Following the life of Saigo was so interesting. Just all the details about how the Yakuza rose, and began to fall, and the reasons they do the things they do was amazing. I loved every bit of it.
Saigo was the best subject for this as one of the “last” of the noble yakuza. He’s got this pragmatic simplicity that makes you really like him, even when he’s fuckin up. I loved every minute of his journey and would have loved even more.
This exploration of the Yakuza history, from where they started, to where they are now was always things I wanted to know.
Awesome book. Loved it.
I read Tokyo Vice years ago and loved a deeper look into the Japanese underground. I didn’t know the author had a new book and I instantly snatched it up and boy howdy I was not disappointed.
Following the life of Saigo was so interesting. Just all the details about how the Yakuza rose, and began to fall, and the reasons they do the things they do was amazing. I loved every bit of it.
Saigo was the best subject for this as one of the “last” of the noble yakuza. He’s got this pragmatic simplicity that makes you really like him, even when he’s fuckin up. I loved every minute of his journey and would have loved even more.
This exploration of the Yakuza history, from where they started, to where they are now was always things I wanted to know.
Awesome book. Loved it.
August 18, 2025
Another amazing book from Adelstein. Similar to how Tokyo Vice foes through the life of a yakuza reporter, the second book from the trilogy goes through the biography of a high-ranking yakuza Saiyo in Inagawa himself. It’s surreal that the book is published in the first place, it feels like even having a chance to learn this much in-dept and intimate details of a yakuza boss is such a rare opportunity, let alone it being written and published by a (gaijin) reporter. Yakuza status aside, Saigo was a businessman facing a harsh reality of his prime time ending when the police was closing in. Reading about his (unsuccessful) re-adjustment attempts to the civilian world reminds me of my dad immigrating in the US, and I found some relieve knowing he returned to the yakuza life leading up to the end. Even knowing it’s coming, reading the last page about Saigo’s passing away was disheartening- it feels like reading a long biography of someone’s history and knowing they’re no longer here, which is exactly what the book is and his renowned yakuza career wrapping up. Adelstein does what he does best again, laying out the answers to his curiosities and gracefully making it comprehensible to (gaijin) readers of Japan underworld.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2023
Mmmm not for me … too much tell and not enough show.
January 31, 2025
one day, i want to adapt this into a film
April 8, 2024
First non-fiction book of the year and can’t recommend it enough. Absolutely fascinating
March 10, 2024
I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this book for although it is slightly better than it's prequel, it is still shite. I award this book two stars and may God have mercy on the soul of anyone who thought it would be as good as the HBO series based on it.
July 17, 2024
The Last Yakuza: A Life in the Japanese Underworld
"Novela de periodismo investigativo" escrita por Jake Adelstein, publicada en 2023 y basada, supuestamente (parece que existe alguna controversia acerca de la veracidad de sus afirmaciones), en sus propias observaciones sobre las vida y las realidades de la Yakuza, realizadas durante el desempeño de su trabajo como periodista en Japón durante los 90 y los 00.
El libro sigue la vida de Makoto Saigo, un delincuente de poca monta que se ve involucrado de forma, más o menos inevitable, con la Yakuza en el Japón de los años 80. Saigo ascenderá por el escalafón y, a lo largo de los años pasará a tener un papel relativamente importante dentro de la organización. La idea, tal y como el libro se comercializa, es dar una visión objetiva de la organización criminal japonesa por excelencia; aunque se lee más como una especie de Goodfellas oriental: violencia, sexo, drogas, honor, ambición desmedida y flashbacks... muchos flashbacks.
Ésta pieza está estructurada en pequeñas viñetas, cortas, concisas y escritas con un lenguaje claro e impersonal (no en vano, Adelstein es un frecuente colaborador de Vice Japón, y escribe como le corresponde a esa enseña); que están organizadas más o menos siguiendo la vida de Saigo. Cuando es necesario dar un contexto histórico, el autor no se amilana y te clava un capítulo extemporáneo explicando lo que ha pasado hasta llegar a este punto haciendo flashbacks, flashforwards, infodumps y lo que haga falta, para que entendamos (realmente entendamos) la importancia de los eventos que van a acontecer.
El elenco de personajes oscila entre completamente intercambiables (como con la lista interminable de líderes sucesivos de las familias) hasta bastante memorables. Específicamente, los personajes que tratan directamente con Saigo (Purple, Coach, Inoue, ...) funcionan tan bien como personajes en una novela que hay veces que te planteas si "no-ficción" es una etiqueta que describa realmente lo que estás leyendo. Saigo, como protagonista, es el contraste perfecto con todos estos criminales coloristas: estoico, atormentado, usuario de drogas duras intravenosas, violento pero compasivo cuando la situación lo requiere. Es claramente un personaje de ficción (el propio Adelstein admite que ha cambiado fechas, nombres y situaciones para proteger a los informadores reales con los que supuestamente trabajaba), pero es el arquetipo perfecto de Yakuza; al menos para una persona occidental con un conocimiento tangencial de la materia como yo.
El mayor problema con este libro es que es terriblemente poco interesante. El arco rags-to-riches de Saigo es predecible, con todos los hitos del género: una primera fase en la que el joven protagonista es seducido por la Yakuza como símbolo de estatus y poder en una sociedad empobrecida; una segunda en que asciende por el escalafón de la organización pero en la que sus ideales chocan frontalmente con la realidad del mundo criminal y una final en la que, asqueado por la degradación de los valores que la Yakuza representaban en su juventud, decide tratar de dejarla. Es una historia tan vieja como cagar sentado y se ha hecho mucho mejor, muchas veces.
Por otro lado, es cierto que el decorado en el que se desarrolla la acción: el japón entre los años 50 y los 00; es fascinante. Los pequeños detalles acerca de la vida de los criminales y de la organización de la Yakuza en sí misma, parecen honestos y son infinitamente interesantes. Desde el horror de los kaiten, kamikazes que tripulaban torpedos en lugar de aviones, hasta las bandas de moteros de ultraderechas con banderas de Japón colgadas de las motos y matándose entre ellos con espadas de madera; el libro está repleto de curiosidades que me resultan mucho más atractivas que la propia Yakuza.
Hay una buena historia en este libro, pero no es la historia principal. Tienes que ir recogiendo migajas de aquí y allá pero Adelstein tiene una narrativa semi-coherente sobre el Japón a partir de la segunda guerra mundial y como su sociedad, contrastada con la del occidente contemporáneo, es totalmente alienígena. Esta segunda historia me interesa y merece la pena ser contada. Es una pena que esté lastrada por un refrito insulso de las pelís de gánsters de la infancia del autor.
"Novela de periodismo investigativo" escrita por Jake Adelstein, publicada en 2023 y basada, supuestamente (parece que existe alguna controversia acerca de la veracidad de sus afirmaciones), en sus propias observaciones sobre las vida y las realidades de la Yakuza, realizadas durante el desempeño de su trabajo como periodista en Japón durante los 90 y los 00.
El libro sigue la vida de Makoto Saigo, un delincuente de poca monta que se ve involucrado de forma, más o menos inevitable, con la Yakuza en el Japón de los años 80. Saigo ascenderá por el escalafón y, a lo largo de los años pasará a tener un papel relativamente importante dentro de la organización. La idea, tal y como el libro se comercializa, es dar una visión objetiva de la organización criminal japonesa por excelencia; aunque se lee más como una especie de Goodfellas oriental: violencia, sexo, drogas, honor, ambición desmedida y flashbacks... muchos flashbacks.
Ésta pieza está estructurada en pequeñas viñetas, cortas, concisas y escritas con un lenguaje claro e impersonal (no en vano, Adelstein es un frecuente colaborador de Vice Japón, y escribe como le corresponde a esa enseña); que están organizadas más o menos siguiendo la vida de Saigo. Cuando es necesario dar un contexto histórico, el autor no se amilana y te clava un capítulo extemporáneo explicando lo que ha pasado hasta llegar a este punto haciendo flashbacks, flashforwards, infodumps y lo que haga falta, para que entendamos (realmente entendamos) la importancia de los eventos que van a acontecer.
El elenco de personajes oscila entre completamente intercambiables (como con la lista interminable de líderes sucesivos de las familias) hasta bastante memorables. Específicamente, los personajes que tratan directamente con Saigo (Purple, Coach, Inoue, ...) funcionan tan bien como personajes en una novela que hay veces que te planteas si "no-ficción" es una etiqueta que describa realmente lo que estás leyendo. Saigo, como protagonista, es el contraste perfecto con todos estos criminales coloristas: estoico, atormentado, usuario de drogas duras intravenosas, violento pero compasivo cuando la situación lo requiere. Es claramente un personaje de ficción (el propio Adelstein admite que ha cambiado fechas, nombres y situaciones para proteger a los informadores reales con los que supuestamente trabajaba), pero es el arquetipo perfecto de Yakuza; al menos para una persona occidental con un conocimiento tangencial de la materia como yo.
El mayor problema con este libro es que es terriblemente poco interesante. El arco rags-to-riches de Saigo es predecible, con todos los hitos del género: una primera fase en la que el joven protagonista es seducido por la Yakuza como símbolo de estatus y poder en una sociedad empobrecida; una segunda en que asciende por el escalafón de la organización pero en la que sus ideales chocan frontalmente con la realidad del mundo criminal y una final en la que, asqueado por la degradación de los valores que la Yakuza representaban en su juventud, decide tratar de dejarla. Es una historia tan vieja como cagar sentado y se ha hecho mucho mejor, muchas veces.
Por otro lado, es cierto que el decorado en el que se desarrolla la acción: el japón entre los años 50 y los 00; es fascinante. Los pequeños detalles acerca de la vida de los criminales y de la organización de la Yakuza en sí misma, parecen honestos y son infinitamente interesantes. Desde el horror de los kaiten, kamikazes que tripulaban torpedos en lugar de aviones, hasta las bandas de moteros de ultraderechas con banderas de Japón colgadas de las motos y matándose entre ellos con espadas de madera; el libro está repleto de curiosidades que me resultan mucho más atractivas que la propia Yakuza.
Hay una buena historia en este libro, pero no es la historia principal. Tienes que ir recogiendo migajas de aquí y allá pero Adelstein tiene una narrativa semi-coherente sobre el Japón a partir de la segunda guerra mundial y como su sociedad, contrastada con la del occidente contemporáneo, es totalmente alienígena. Esta segunda historia me interesa y merece la pena ser contada. Es una pena que esté lastrada por un refrito insulso de las pelís de gánsters de la infancia del autor.
September 21, 2024
Adelstein deserves his flowers for making this easy to follow.
December 4, 2023
Jake Adelstein (author/ subject of Tokyo Vice)'s biography of Yakuza member Makoto Saigo was written after the author asked Saigo to be his bodyguard following concerns about his and his family's safety following the publication and success of his expose. I thought it interesting that Roberto Saviano - author of 'Gomorrah' and a writer who knows all too well the risks and long term danger of writing such a piece, blurbs the book.
While it IS a biography of Saigo, The Last Yakuza is actually a much broader read about Japan's history (with particular attention to post war Japan), culture, identity and tradition. And as the title hints at, it is a book that looks to the future and what it means for criminal organisation within Japan.
For those familiar with books like Saviano's looking at criminal activity in Italy or other books looking at the US or South American gangs, it might seem 'quaint' or 'dull' (Depending on your POV)- 40% into the book and there are no brutal murders or massive crime heists. 'Crime' is generally confined to small scale operations and the Yakuza's 'code' means no murder, no drugs...even disturbing the neighbourhood with noise is seen as a no=no.
It could be claimed the most graphic elements of the books are self imposed - the tattooing sequence and the 'repayment for dishonor'... and some of the crimes are downright amusing (I've never seen a bank job like the one described here).
But there's a LOT more going on under the surface. Not just about the crimes (which outstrip pretty much any other organisation's activity in terms of profit) but the people involved.
If you're interested in learning about a society through the lens of its criminal elements, this is a book very much worth reading.
While it IS a biography of Saigo, The Last Yakuza is actually a much broader read about Japan's history (with particular attention to post war Japan), culture, identity and tradition. And as the title hints at, it is a book that looks to the future and what it means for criminal organisation within Japan.
For those familiar with books like Saviano's looking at criminal activity in Italy or other books looking at the US or South American gangs, it might seem 'quaint' or 'dull' (Depending on your POV)- 40% into the book and there are no brutal murders or massive crime heists. 'Crime' is generally confined to small scale operations and the Yakuza's 'code' means no murder, no drugs...even disturbing the neighbourhood with noise is seen as a no=no.
It could be claimed the most graphic elements of the books are self imposed - the tattooing sequence and the 'repayment for dishonor'... and some of the crimes are downright amusing (I've never seen a bank job like the one described here).
But there's a LOT more going on under the surface. Not just about the crimes (which outstrip pretty much any other organisation's activity in terms of profit) but the people involved.
If you're interested in learning about a society through the lens of its criminal elements, this is a book very much worth reading.
June 13, 2021
Très intéressant ouvrage qui, à travers l'histoire de Makoto Shingo, permet de plonger dans l'univers des yakuzas. Le livre est prenant si on s'intéresse au Japon.
J'ai beaucoup appris grâce à cette lecture : j'ai été très surprise par l'importance des groupes yakuzas dans la société japonaise, même si selon l'auteur suite à des lois restrictives et la fin de la tolérance de la police envers ces groupes tend à diminuer leur importance aujourd'hui. J'ai découvert que les yakuzas avaient longtemps été tolérés par la police, jouant même une sorte de fonction de régulation sociale en réprimant certaines formes de criminalité. Et je ne connaissais pas l'ampleur de leurs liens avec la classe politique japonaise, qui selon l'auteur fait d'eux un gouvernement de l'ombre.
J'ai été frappée de constater l'ampleur de mon ignorance malgré mon intérêt sur le Japon et mes lectures sur le sujet (qu'il s'agisse de fiction ou de non-fiction). Alors qu'il s'agit d'un aspect important de la société japonaise, je les ai rarement vus mentionner dans mes lectures - comme s'il étaient invisibles...
Bref, une lecture intéressante que je recommande à tout fan du Japon, surtout si vous avez aimé "Tokyo Vice" du même auteur.
J'ai beaucoup appris grâce à cette lecture : j'ai été très surprise par l'importance des groupes yakuzas dans la société japonaise, même si selon l'auteur suite à des lois restrictives et la fin de la tolérance de la police envers ces groupes tend à diminuer leur importance aujourd'hui. J'ai découvert que les yakuzas avaient longtemps été tolérés par la police, jouant même une sorte de fonction de régulation sociale en réprimant certaines formes de criminalité. Et je ne connaissais pas l'ampleur de leurs liens avec la classe politique japonaise, qui selon l'auteur fait d'eux un gouvernement de l'ombre.
J'ai été frappée de constater l'ampleur de mon ignorance malgré mon intérêt sur le Japon et mes lectures sur le sujet (qu'il s'agisse de fiction ou de non-fiction). Alors qu'il s'agit d'un aspect important de la société japonaise, je les ai rarement vus mentionner dans mes lectures - comme s'il étaient invisibles...
Bref, une lecture intéressante que je recommande à tout fan du Japon, surtout si vous avez aimé "Tokyo Vice" du même auteur.
July 31, 2023
Fascinating dive into Yakuza/Japanese culture from the 50s up to the early 2010's. Adelstein also does a great job of depicting the life of a Yakuza without sounding judgmental in any way shape or form. The writing is overall good but the pacing runs out of steam in the last leg of the book.
May 23, 2024
Journalist Jeff Adelstein lucked out when he asked his Yakuza source to recommend a driver and body guard. Saigo Makoto, a “retired” Yakiza, had served at all levels, rising to be something like a #2 in the Inagawa-Kai.
Each chapter tells a story that illustrates the Yakusa life. While there are some chapters that give basic Yakusa history, most of the content is about the experiences of Adelstein’s driver and body guard.
You see how the various Yakuza gangs are organized and how they protect their territory. You see bosses, like Saigo who at times had over 100 reports, control (punishment is violent) and support their “staff”. They pay widows benefits for those who fall in the line of duty.
Yakuza customs reflect Japanese culture. You see members bowing based on rank, the ritual of lighting cigarettes and sharing of business cards (Yes. Yakuza have business cards). Members enjoy the many Yakuza comic books. There are ceremonial protocols for weddings and funerals. Many members have short fuses, so like Samurai, slugging, kicking and knifing are accepted. Suicide is also accepted, and in some cases is considered honorable. Even the well centered Saigo contemplates it.
The “old style” Yakuzas stuck with protection, extortion and other schemes they could justify. For instance, they believed that their punishments for petty criminals kept a safer community than police could and those who pay extortion money are guilty of something. Young Yakuza’s broke from the more “justifiable” crimes and they started using guns, Coach, like other older Yakuza’s the head of Saigo’s gang, accepted some pretty heavy violence, but not guns.
Despite the thuggish foot soldiers, the “new” Yakuzas entered the corporate world at the top. From their fashionable offices (hardly like the meeting places of the Sopranos) they looked for “investment” opportunities like any other executive.
One of the most amazing chapters was Saigo’s penance where he removes a finger. Prior to this, there is a lot on this fading practice as well as Yakuza tattooing.
Saigo’s career spanned the (approximately) 30 year post war period when the Yakuza were powerful. They had effectively infiltrated the police and government, Yunichiro Koizumi, a former Prime Minister, was from a Yakuza family.
In 2011 a series of laws made it difficult for the lower level Yakuza to bring in the money. Those who rented an Yakuza a apartment or sold them a phone were punished. As being a Yakuza became less profitable, many left.
Adelstein follows the writer’s rule of “Show me” (i.e. don’t tell me.) Each chapter is an episode illustrating the various aspects of Yakuza life and culture. You see the how crimes, the violence, the rituals, the relationships and much more are play out in actual events.
If you are interested in this topic, the book is recommended.
Each chapter tells a story that illustrates the Yakusa life. While there are some chapters that give basic Yakusa history, most of the content is about the experiences of Adelstein’s driver and body guard.
You see how the various Yakuza gangs are organized and how they protect their territory. You see bosses, like Saigo who at times had over 100 reports, control (punishment is violent) and support their “staff”. They pay widows benefits for those who fall in the line of duty.
Yakuza customs reflect Japanese culture. You see members bowing based on rank, the ritual of lighting cigarettes and sharing of business cards (Yes. Yakuza have business cards). Members enjoy the many Yakuza comic books. There are ceremonial protocols for weddings and funerals. Many members have short fuses, so like Samurai, slugging, kicking and knifing are accepted. Suicide is also accepted, and in some cases is considered honorable. Even the well centered Saigo contemplates it.
The “old style” Yakuzas stuck with protection, extortion and other schemes they could justify. For instance, they believed that their punishments for petty criminals kept a safer community than police could and those who pay extortion money are guilty of something. Young Yakuza’s broke from the more “justifiable” crimes and they started using guns, Coach, like other older Yakuza’s the head of Saigo’s gang, accepted some pretty heavy violence, but not guns.
Despite the thuggish foot soldiers, the “new” Yakuzas entered the corporate world at the top. From their fashionable offices (hardly like the meeting places of the Sopranos) they looked for “investment” opportunities like any other executive.
One of the most amazing chapters was Saigo’s penance where he removes a finger. Prior to this, there is a lot on this fading practice as well as Yakuza tattooing.
Saigo’s career spanned the (approximately) 30 year post war period when the Yakuza were powerful. They had effectively infiltrated the police and government, Yunichiro Koizumi, a former Prime Minister, was from a Yakuza family.
In 2011 a series of laws made it difficult for the lower level Yakuza to bring in the money. Those who rented an Yakuza a apartment or sold them a phone were punished. As being a Yakuza became less profitable, many left.
Adelstein follows the writer’s rule of “Show me” (i.e. don’t tell me.) Each chapter is an episode illustrating the various aspects of Yakuza life and culture. You see the how crimes, the violence, the rituals, the relationships and much more are play out in actual events.
If you are interested in this topic, the book is recommended.
January 7, 2025
An enjoyable read with some faults. Apparently this is meant to be part of Adelstein's "Tokyo Vice" trilogy, with this one sandwiched in between Tokyo Vice and concluding with Tokyo Noir. I read it out of sequence, starting with Tokyo Vice, Tokyo Noir and then The Last Yakuza. It does not detract from the experience and the only recommended order in my opinion is that Tokyo Noir should follow Tokyo Vice.
Compared to the other two books, this one is not about Jake's adventures in Japan. Rather, it's more a biography of the man whom he hired as a bodyguard, Makoto Saigo, or "Tsunami," a former Yakuza. The storytelling follows the format that the other two books did: each chapter serves as a vignette, and together they tell the story of how Saigo grew up, became a Yakuza, his adventures as a Yakuza boss and how he came to leave the Yakuza. Saigo's story is a microscopic version of how the perception of the Yakuza evolved in Japan. It feels like every chapter could have been a journalistic article you would have seen in the newspaper, and for the most part it's pretty entertaining. In Jake's mind, the Yakuza are defined by a code and were once seen as a peacekeeping force in Japan, able to mobilize quicker than the police and able to settle civil disputes for a fraction of the typical cost.
Peppered within the story is an explanation of Japanese culture. At times it's really enlightening and a privilege to be "let in" on this world, so to speak. At other times it becomes overbearing and just too much information for the reader to really process. A glaring example I recall is the exposition on Japanese funeral customs. A few paragraphs is OK. A full chapter on it can get too much. Alongside this is a sometimes-too-thorough exposition of side characters that may only appear once or twice again. Reminders would have been helpful to let the reader know again who they are. I had to flip back more than once to remind myself of who some people were.
My favorite chapter is the "bank cat protest" chapter. That's not what it's actually named, but I can't rightly type it out in public (lol!). Saigo has a genius, technically lawful way to make good on a bank loan with 100 of his men and cats in each of their hands.
If you enjoyed Tokyo Vice, you would also enjoy this one.
Compared to the other two books, this one is not about Jake's adventures in Japan. Rather, it's more a biography of the man whom he hired as a bodyguard, Makoto Saigo, or "Tsunami," a former Yakuza. The storytelling follows the format that the other two books did: each chapter serves as a vignette, and together they tell the story of how Saigo grew up, became a Yakuza, his adventures as a Yakuza boss and how he came to leave the Yakuza. Saigo's story is a microscopic version of how the perception of the Yakuza evolved in Japan. It feels like every chapter could have been a journalistic article you would have seen in the newspaper, and for the most part it's pretty entertaining. In Jake's mind, the Yakuza are defined by a code and were once seen as a peacekeeping force in Japan, able to mobilize quicker than the police and able to settle civil disputes for a fraction of the typical cost.
Peppered within the story is an explanation of Japanese culture. At times it's really enlightening and a privilege to be "let in" on this world, so to speak. At other times it becomes overbearing and just too much information for the reader to really process. A glaring example I recall is the exposition on Japanese funeral customs. A few paragraphs is OK. A full chapter on it can get too much. Alongside this is a sometimes-too-thorough exposition of side characters that may only appear once or twice again. Reminders would have been helpful to let the reader know again who they are. I had to flip back more than once to remind myself of who some people were.
My favorite chapter is the "bank cat protest" chapter. That's not what it's actually named, but I can't rightly type it out in public (lol!). Saigo has a genius, technically lawful way to make good on a bank loan with 100 of his men and cats in each of their hands.
If you enjoyed Tokyo Vice, you would also enjoy this one.
December 13, 2023
The first time Martin Scorsese called Henry Hill after reading Hill’s gangster memoir Wiseguy, he told Hill: I’ve been waiting for this book for ten years. To which Hill replied: I’ve been waiting for this call for ten years.
Scorsese had wanted to tell a tale of mobsters that didn’t revolve around Vito Corleone-esque bosses and power players. He wanted the audience to know about the gangster-next-door, the types he grew up with around Manhattan’s Little Italy. He found the story he was looking for in Hill’s writing.
Despite his reputation as a director of gangster movies, Scorsese had only done one that solely featured mobsters: Mean Streets. They existed on the periphery in Raging Bull and he also touched on criminal outlaws in Boxcar Bertha. So the reputation was a bit undeserved.
But using Hill’s memoir, he made Goodfellas, maybe the best pure mob movie ever.
I’m not a movie maker but I’ve been waiting for this book for decades. And if I was a movie maker, I’d make a movie out of this one.
Saigo, the yakuza that Jake Adelstein focuses on, never becomes a boss. He does rise to a high and respected position within one of the top yakuza families. But he has an incredible story to tell, less a rise-and-fall (though there’s plenty of that) and more of Henry Hill: how his one strand of fabric wove through the world of the yakuza for over twenty years, watching their image and reputation change over time.
What I liked about using Saigo to tell the larger story of the history of the yakuza and how they work is that Saigo did not come up Always wanting to be a gangster as Goodfellas famously begins. He bounces around the fringes of society before being recruited to it. And while he does, he finds a degree of competence that allows him to rise in the ranks. Ambition is a part of it but Saigo found real purpose in living the life, learning and respecting the traditions, following some code of honor.
Adelstein writes a compelling narrative, weaving in fascinating yakuza tales with Saito’s personal life and the ever changing narrative of the yakuza.
This is the best kind of mob gangster true crime story I like. Tokyo Vice was a good book. This is a great one. I hope a talented director reads it.
Scorsese had wanted to tell a tale of mobsters that didn’t revolve around Vito Corleone-esque bosses and power players. He wanted the audience to know about the gangster-next-door, the types he grew up with around Manhattan’s Little Italy. He found the story he was looking for in Hill’s writing.
Despite his reputation as a director of gangster movies, Scorsese had only done one that solely featured mobsters: Mean Streets. They existed on the periphery in Raging Bull and he also touched on criminal outlaws in Boxcar Bertha. So the reputation was a bit undeserved.
But using Hill’s memoir, he made Goodfellas, maybe the best pure mob movie ever.
I’m not a movie maker but I’ve been waiting for this book for decades. And if I was a movie maker, I’d make a movie out of this one.
Saigo, the yakuza that Jake Adelstein focuses on, never becomes a boss. He does rise to a high and respected position within one of the top yakuza families. But he has an incredible story to tell, less a rise-and-fall (though there’s plenty of that) and more of Henry Hill: how his one strand of fabric wove through the world of the yakuza for over twenty years, watching their image and reputation change over time.
What I liked about using Saigo to tell the larger story of the history of the yakuza and how they work is that Saigo did not come up Always wanting to be a gangster as Goodfellas famously begins. He bounces around the fringes of society before being recruited to it. And while he does, he finds a degree of competence that allows him to rise in the ranks. Ambition is a part of it but Saigo found real purpose in living the life, learning and respecting the traditions, following some code of honor.
Adelstein writes a compelling narrative, weaving in fascinating yakuza tales with Saito’s personal life and the ever changing narrative of the yakuza.
This is the best kind of mob gangster true crime story I like. Tokyo Vice was a good book. This is a great one. I hope a talented director reads it.
October 7, 2025
The Last Yakuza by Jake Adelstein is a deeply flawed attempt to explore Japan’s criminal underworld, promising an intimate look at a yakuza boss’s life and the decline of organized crime but delivering a chaotic, shallow, and self-aggrandizing mess. The book lacks focus, authenticity, and respect for its subject, making it a frustrating and forgettable read. The narrative is a disjointed jumble, flitting between a biography of yakuza boss Saigo, historical snippets about the yakuza, and Adelstein’s own journalistic exploits. These threads never coalesce, with abrupt timeline shifts leaving readers confused. Saigo is a central disappointment, reduced to a clichéd gangster stereotype with little depth or insight into his motivations. Key details about his life are glossed over, buried under irrelevant tangents. Adelstein’s writing is clunky and cliched, leaning on tired noir phrases like “the dark heart of Tokyo” that feel amateurish. His self-insertion is even more grating, with endless boasts about his insider access and bravery that disrupt the story and undermine credibility. These passages, heavy on ego but light on substance, cast doubt on the accuracy of his yakuza connections.The book’s treatment of the yakuza is superficial, relying on stereotypes and sensationalism instead of nuanced analysis. Historical context, like Japan’s anti-yakuza laws, is presented in simplistic terms, while cultural insights lean on tired tropes about honor and loyalty. The result is neither educational nor engaging, offering little for readers new to the topic or those seeking depth.Ethically, the book feels exploitative. Adelstein’s portrayal of Saigo and others seems designed for shock value, with lurid tales of violence that lack transparency about sources or methods. This raises questions about embellishment and whether he’s profiting off others’ stories without respect.Ultimately, The Last Yakuza is a missed opportunity, marred by poor writing, a lack of focus, and questionable ethics. Readers seeking insight into Japan’s underworld will find this book lacking, better off turning to documentaries or other sources. It’s a tedious, forgettable slog that fails to illuminate its subject.
October 19, 2023
🌸 Over the past 30 years, I've had the unique opportunity to cover the yakuza, Japan's mafia, as a reporter. Their influence has waned over time, and I can't help but feel society is better for it. Interestingly, the average age of a yakuza member today is 54, which coincidentally is my age as of March 28th, 2023. Speaking of March 28th, it happens to be the birthday of the third generation leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi, born in 1913. It's a curious connection that's not lost on me.
The streets of Japan often reveal tales of unexpected paths. One such story is of Makoto Saigo. Born to an American-Japanese mother who returned to Japan to escape internment, Saigo never quite fit the mold of a typical Japanese kid. Labelled as “that American kid,” he stood out, yet in many ways, blended in. As the vibrant 70s arrived with its whirlwind of change, Saigo found himself amidst the roaring Bōsōzoku motorcycle crew, surrounded by the allure of drugs, speed, and music. However, the dazzling Tokyo lights also concealed darker corners, eventually leading Saigo to the helm of the Inagawa-kai, a prominent force in the world of organized crime.
My book, "The Last Yakuza," doesn't merely recount tales of the intriguing Saigo or the gritty underworld events of flying bullets, musical interludes, or intense confrontations. It provides a deeper perspective, tracing the yakuza's transformation from the tumultuous World War II era, highlighting their profound ties to Japanese culture. At its core lies Saigo, a man defined by his idiosyncrasies and a unique code of honor. Through his life, we gain insight into the multifaceted world of the yakuza and their nuanced role in Japanese society. Imagine a tapestry inked on skin, with each tattoo marking a significant chapter in his life—and the lives of his bosses and friends. The Coach. The Buddha. Purple.
Once, Saigo stood by my side as a bodyguard. By weaving his narrative into this work, I aspired to present a rich tapestry of the yakuza's history. I hope that I have.
The streets of Japan often reveal tales of unexpected paths. One such story is of Makoto Saigo. Born to an American-Japanese mother who returned to Japan to escape internment, Saigo never quite fit the mold of a typical Japanese kid. Labelled as “that American kid,” he stood out, yet in many ways, blended in. As the vibrant 70s arrived with its whirlwind of change, Saigo found himself amidst the roaring Bōsōzoku motorcycle crew, surrounded by the allure of drugs, speed, and music. However, the dazzling Tokyo lights also concealed darker corners, eventually leading Saigo to the helm of the Inagawa-kai, a prominent force in the world of organized crime.
My book, "The Last Yakuza," doesn't merely recount tales of the intriguing Saigo or the gritty underworld events of flying bullets, musical interludes, or intense confrontations. It provides a deeper perspective, tracing the yakuza's transformation from the tumultuous World War II era, highlighting their profound ties to Japanese culture. At its core lies Saigo, a man defined by his idiosyncrasies and a unique code of honor. Through his life, we gain insight into the multifaceted world of the yakuza and their nuanced role in Japanese society. Imagine a tapestry inked on skin, with each tattoo marking a significant chapter in his life—and the lives of his bosses and friends. The Coach. The Buddha. Purple.
Once, Saigo stood by my side as a bodyguard. By weaving his narrative into this work, I aspired to present a rich tapestry of the yakuza's history. I hope that I have.
November 17, 2023
A true crime book about the Yakuza by the writer behind HBO’s (is HBO still a thing? Whatever) “Tokyo Vice” and the amazing podcast Evaporated? Sign me the F up. I was so ready to love this.
Unfortunately, this book falls into a common trap that trips up a lot of American Mafia True Crime books. Namely, that I can never shake the feeling that these criminals are slightly full of shit.
While this book provides some interesting insights into Yakuza life and occasional amusing anecdotes, for the most part it never really justifies its existence by telling a great/important story. In addition, it refuses to ever truly be critical of its subject. Saigo goes on “occasional meth binges” despite a code of honor that explicitly prohibits meth in one line. A few lines later, he’s pontificating about how a true Yakuza would never buy or sell meth.
In addition, this book basically theorizes that the Japanese people tolerate the Yakuza because they prefer organized crime to disorganized crime. I have read/heard this before although I find it a little hard to believe. And yet, there’s no analysis really of the pros and cons of this preferred system. There are multiple instances in this novel where someone attempts to rat on a Yakuza member and the police officer assigned to the Yakuza member “happens to overhear it” and then rushes to squash the case. And this is vaguely presented as the right outcome. An anecdote about 8 gangsters taking on 100 gangsters with only a sword is presented completely straight-faced. Like, come on… Come on!
These complaints aside, I’m kind of a nut for this stuff. And the truth is, I kind of enjoyed the read. I like Yakuza movies (resisting the urge to drop some deep-cut movie titles here to impress people) and I’d like to know more about the history of the Yakuza. Unfortunately, this book is likely held back because 1) Jake is an outsider; and 2) he wrote this book about his friend and bodyguard, so it’s not going to be hard-hitting. That is to say, it’s more “godfather” than “sopranos” - and these days I’m more of a sopranos guy.
Unfortunately, this book falls into a common trap that trips up a lot of American Mafia True Crime books. Namely, that I can never shake the feeling that these criminals are slightly full of shit.
While this book provides some interesting insights into Yakuza life and occasional amusing anecdotes, for the most part it never really justifies its existence by telling a great/important story. In addition, it refuses to ever truly be critical of its subject. Saigo goes on “occasional meth binges” despite a code of honor that explicitly prohibits meth in one line. A few lines later, he’s pontificating about how a true Yakuza would never buy or sell meth.
In addition, this book basically theorizes that the Japanese people tolerate the Yakuza because they prefer organized crime to disorganized crime. I have read/heard this before although I find it a little hard to believe. And yet, there’s no analysis really of the pros and cons of this preferred system. There are multiple instances in this novel where someone attempts to rat on a Yakuza member and the police officer assigned to the Yakuza member “happens to overhear it” and then rushes to squash the case. And this is vaguely presented as the right outcome. An anecdote about 8 gangsters taking on 100 gangsters with only a sword is presented completely straight-faced. Like, come on… Come on!
These complaints aside, I’m kind of a nut for this stuff. And the truth is, I kind of enjoyed the read. I like Yakuza movies (resisting the urge to drop some deep-cut movie titles here to impress people) and I’d like to know more about the history of the Yakuza. Unfortunately, this book is likely held back because 1) Jake is an outsider; and 2) he wrote this book about his friend and bodyguard, so it’s not going to be hard-hitting. That is to say, it’s more “godfather” than “sopranos” - and these days I’m more of a sopranos guy.
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