[SA:MP] The Inagawa-kai

[Inagawa-Kai]

When people think about international trade and transactions they think about multinational corporations conducting legitimate business in commodities such as cars, oil, electronics, textiles etc. However, there is a darker side to international business transactions that involves international organised crime groups who deal in "commodities" such as narcotics, weapons, counterfeiting, and the smuggling of women for the sex slave trade, to name just a few. Some of the wealtiest, most organised and sophisticated of these international organised crime groups are 300 year-old Japanese groups called the yakuza. The majority of these yakuza syndicates operate in and out of Japan; however, there are many yakuza syndicates expanding their operations all over the world to every expatriate Japanese community. This international expansion of the yakuza and their activities will probably continue due to their increasing involvement in the drug and gun trade, and, more importantly, because of their ever increasing involvement in highly sophisticated financial crimes which have the potential to affect the economies of foreign nations. More importantly, the yakuza syndicates, unlike other ethnic organized crime groups, are, to a certain degree, readily accepted by Japanese society and heavily connected to the highest levels of government; factors which will make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to eliminate them from the national and international scene. The Inagawa-kai was founded in Atami, Shizuoka in 1949 as the Inagawa-gumi (稲川組) by Kakuji Inagawa. Most of its members were drawn from the bakuto (traditional gamblers), and illegal gambling has long been the clan's main source of income. It has also expanded into such fields as drug trafficking, blackmail, extortion, and loan sharking. As a matter of principle, theft is not recognised as a legitimate activity of yakuza. This is in line with the idea that their activities are semi-open; theft by definition would be a covert activity. More importantly, such an act would be considered a trespass by the community. Also, yakuza usually do not conduct the actual business operation by themselves. Core business activities such as merchandising, loan sharking or management of gambling houses are typically managed by non-yakuza members who pay protection fees for their activities The Inagawa-kai has headquarters located in Tokyo and Yokohama, and their sphere of influence consists of the eastern region of Japan. The main source of income for the Inagawakai comes from gambling activities such as bookmaking, organizing off-shore gambling tours, and running high stakes casinos and card games. They are also heavily involved in loan-sjarking, overseas investment, money-laundering, gunrunning, extortion and narcotics. According to a 1979 police estimate, the Inagawa-kai also ran 879 legitimate businesses, such as construction and entertainment companies, bars, cabarets, golf courses, and restaurants. February 2009 saw the Inagawa-kai 'Honbu' (Head Office) relocate from the Roppongi district of Tokyo to Akasaka. There is currently strong resistance from the local political groups and residents of Akasaka. Their new location of residency will be Los Santos. The Inagawa-kai quietly helped to provide relief in the wake of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami by sending supplies to affected areas. As a whole, the group shipped over 100 tons of supplies, including instant ramen, bean sprouts, paper diapers, batteries, flashlights, tea and drinking water, to the Tōhoku region. In conclusion, despite legal sanctions, police crackdowns, andscandal revelations, the yakuza syndicates are still entrenched in Japanese society, economy, and politics, and they have adapted their methods of operations and structure in order to thrive. More ominously for the rest of the world, they have also expanded their operations in Argonath.

Tatsuo Deguchi, an important underboss in the early Inagawa history

Inagawa-kai's renowned figure in the 20th century is Tatsuo Deguchi (known as the "Tatsu of Morocco"). In 2001, the FBI reportedly arranged for him to be flown to the United States for a life-saving liver transplant without consulting Japanese authorities. The FBI took the action in return for information on yakuza money laundering in the United States. An FBI agent who arranged the deal told writer Jake Adelstein, “You can't monitor the activities of the yakuza in the United States if you don't know who they are. Deguchi only gave us a fraction of what he promised, but is was better than nothing." Tatsuo Deguchi is regarded as the best example of the new kind of yakuza: ruthless, shamelessly violent and not a afraid to go after civilians. One policeman told the The New Yorker that as of January 2012, “We suspect Goto of being involved in killing of 17 people. Recent cases included a man shot dead in Thailand who had been involved in a murder of man who stood between Deguchi and a real estate deal." Describing Deguchi, Irene Kunii wrote in Time: "Barrel chested and an imposing 182 cm tall, the silver-maned oyubun, or boss, inspects visitors with penetrating eyes that register everything. With a flick of his wrist, he dispenses with his dozen bodyguards---many of the them.".missing parts of their little fingers."

The pyramidal structure type, which is based on feudal power structures, is the traditional structure of the yakuza with enormous power vested in the godfather of the sydnicate. At the top of the pyramid is the godfather or kumicho of the syndicate. Under the kumicho rule a group of usually two shatei. Next follows a group of three directors called wakashira-hosa, one of whom will be appointed a wakashira. The shatei, wakashira and wakashira-hosa function as a board of directors who meet montly and decide on syndicate policy and divide up the syndicate's income, accordingly - a senior consultative group called the sanrokai, which dispenses advice on whatever matters are presented in it. Below this hierarchy lies a series of lesser offices: Kambuatsu-kai, Gyanburu bumon & Satsujin bumon Within the syndicate each individual gang is required to issue an annual financial report and to send monthly payments to syndicate headquarters. Finally, payments are also made on New Years as gifts, for funerals, and when a members is released from prison.

The new recruits are initiated into the yakuza group through a ceremony, that involves the exchange of sake cups with the oyabun in the presence of a third person. Furthermore, the recruit takes a seihai-gishiki, or oath of alliance, to verify his trustworthiness. Finally, the initiate swears to obey the basic tenets of the yakuza: "(1) Never reveal the secrets of the organisation; (2) Never violate the wife or children of another member; (3) No persnal involvement with narcotics; (4) Do not withhold money from the gangs; (5) Do not fail in obeience to superiors; and (6) Do not appeal to the police or law. The new recruits will normally spend the next two to three months as sanshita (apprentices). Durin the apprentice stage, they will perform tasks such as cooking, cleaning, answering telephons, serving guests and chauffeuring. To ensure the loyalty of members and to bond them togeter, the modern yakuza syndicates have also adopted rituals, ceremonies and values from the traditional Japanese society and from early yakuza groups. One type of ritual performed by the yakuza is sakazuki-shiki or the ritual exchange of sake Cups. The sake ceremony is used to initiate new recruits and symbolize blood connections; to represent entry into the kumichõ-kobun relationship; to consummate the appointment of a new godfather of a syndicate; and to bind alliances with other yakuza syndicates. Rice, fish, salt, and sake are placed in the Shinto shrine alcove when the ceremony begins. The kumichõ first drinks and then turns his cup to the kobun. The kobun who is being admitted into the organization drinks from the same cup. The shatei warns of the solemn duties of the kobun:   "As long as you carry this cup, you must be loyal to the kai and serve your kumicho with filial piety. Even if your wife and children starve, you must work for the kumicho and the kai at the risk of your life. Your duty now is to live with this relationship for life. Consider the kumicho as your eternal father. Do not fear water or fire, and volunteer to undertake every difficult task."

Yakuza groups deal severely with those who break the gang's rules. Cowardice, disobedience, and revealing gang secrets are treated not only as acts of betrayal, but also as affronts to the reputation and honor of the gang. The punishment, depending on the nature of the offense, ranges from simply bowing your head and making a humble apology all the way to execution. Short of death, the worst punishment is expulsion. After expelling the member, the boss notifies other yakuza bosses that the member is no longer welcome in his group, and by general agreement, the outcast could not join a rival gang. For serious violations not warranting death or expulsion, the member is subjected to yubitsume, a 'custom introduced by the early yakuza gangs, in which the top joint of the little finger is ceremoniously self-amputated as an act of contrition. Mer the portion of the finger is self-amputated, the member wraps it in a silk cloth and solemnly hands it to the oyabun. Further infractions could mean another amputation at the second joint of the same finger or at the top joint of another finger. Today, approximately 42 percent of yakuza have had fingers cut off. Tattooing The other identifying characteristic of the yakuza, the tattoo, was introduced by the early bakuto gangs during Japan's feudal period. In feudal times, the tattoo appeared as a mark of punishment, and criminals were generally tattooed with one black ring around the arm for each offense. As suppression by the ruling class touched villagers who were not criminals, tattooing became a symbol of resistance to despotism. Because it was such a test of strength to endure the pain of tattooing, it began to take on other aspects, such as manliness, courage, health, and vitality, and the early yakuza felt themselves to be the possessors of such attributes. Over the years the patterns grew more complex, blending an array of famous gods, folk heroes, animals, and flowers into one fluid design and; by the late 17th century intricate, full-body designs became popular with the bakuto. Tattooing eventually spread to the tekiya gangs, and today, approximately 73 percent of yakuza have some form of tattoos.

Trafficking of narcotics, especially methamphetamines, is the biggest revenue earner for the yakuza. Since few drugs are produced in Argonath, nearly every drug and almost all stimulants are produced and imported from foreign countries such as Peru, Germany, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The syndicate is smuggling handguns, shotguns, assault rifles, ammunition for the weapons, and even hand grenades. One yakuza member even claimed that if someone was willing to pay for it, he could obtain a rocket launcher or bazooka. Extortion is an old and very common practice utilized by the yakuza, because it is easy to set up and enforce, and it is the means by which they can gain control over the streets and businesses and accumulate wealth and power. Gambling is a major source of revenue for the yakuza. One example of how the yakuza operate is demonstrated by floating craps games, which is a game played with dice, whose locale is moved around from night to night to avoid police raids. The craps players will hang out in designated restaurants and nightclubs waiting for the message concerning the locale of the games The Argonath entertainment industry is also heavily controlled by the yakuza. For example, they own, manage, or control movie theaters, cabarets, talent agencies, booking firms, movie companies, and even the entertainers themselves. Due to the enormous amount of income the yakuza syndicates derive from illegitimate sources, they need to launder the money so it can be invested in legitimate businesses. The yakuza have money laundering operations all over the world; however, Los Santos is probably the single biggest place where yakuza money is laundered. The most common method the yakuza use to launder money is through the use of highvolume cash businesses such as bars, nightclubs, restaurants, gift shops, and casinos.

The Inagawa yakuza is mainly depending on the situations we occur. The story of the Inagawa-kai making themselves known in Los Santos will develop in time and you can check the progress in the post below. The Inagawa-kai is a high roleplaying group which will follow the customs and traditions of the original yakuza's. If you are interested in joining, you should count that some research will be necessary in order to properly roleplay within the yakuza. In order to join the faction you should keep an eye on the story development and find a way to introduce yourself to the yakuza. Also make sure you do not mix OOC with IC when it comes to roleplaying.

[Inagawa-Kai]

In progress

[jenniferr]

Good Luck mate!

[Antonello]

Good Luck mate!

[Trevor.]

Good Luck mate

[Mukdk]

Looks really promising. Cannot wait to see a proper Yakuza on the server
Best of luck to you!

[Thomas R]

looking good man, goodluck with this!

[Trevor.]

Looks really promising. Cannot wait to see a proper Yakuza on the server
Best of luck to you!

We already got proper Yakuza :P

The Araatus yakuza

[SpikeG]

Good luck !

[TonySforza]

Really hoping we bump into each other ig, stick around, please lol

[Jairo.]

Good luck andd never give up!

[neriionz]

I loved the topic and good luck!

[Mukdk]

We already got proper Yakuza :P

The Araatus yakuza

 

[My_Name_Is_Lan]

We already got proper Yakuza :P

The Araatus yakuza

thanks for recognizing


Good luck.

[Inagawa-Kai]

My arrival to Los Santos was unexpected, a boat was already waiting when I reached the harbour in Japan.. During the trip out on the open sea, the boat was rocking, I felt sick, but I didn't see any frustration or fear in the eyes of my companions.. Closing in, seeing the city lights, I had a rush of adrenaline, I knew everything was going to work out fine. As I stepped onto the dock, I handed my wet coat to the shatei, who was already waiting for my arrival. Not a single word was spoken, I continued as I knew what was going to happen and what I needed to do..



I managed to gather some warmth during the car ride to our destination, the weather was appropriate to the mood I was having. Everything had been already arranged back in Japan for my stay in Santos. I glared with a blank expression as we drove past all the glamourous citylife of Santos, I didn't care for them, I had my own goal to achieve.



Finally we arrived, club, bar, restaurant, whatever you want to call it - Vice. A business managed by the Inagawa-kai, I walked in through a line of employees, they all had their heads facing the ground as I walked by. Silence - but it was time to do what I was set out to do, the job had to be done, I couldn't fail my oyubon this time.