every since msn.com took over mdn news it’s been way less raunchy, but i still read it almost daily. anyway, i really don’t get how the yakuza have so much control and are so relatively open about their businesses in a country as developed as japan. i mean this article is practically a press release for who’s stepping down in power and who’s replacing him:

“The retirement of Yoshinori Watanabe, 64, was made official during a meeting of the gang’s leaders at its headquarters in the western Japanese city of Kobe, according to a local police official who demanded he not be further identified. Dozens of police were deployed around the headquarters and at local train stations. Watanabe will be replaced by the current No. 2 leader, Kenichi Shinoda, who is 63, Japan’s Kyodo News service reported. Watanabe will continue to hold a senior advisory post, it said.”

a “senior advisory post?!” that’s exactly like when a ceo retires but remains on the board or directors. it just seems all too, well, organized, to happen so publicly, and in such a democratic/peaceful nation. although i’m sure that ultimately it’s the balance of the yakuza that make it so.

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20050729p2a00m0na009000c.html