Upstart gangsters shake Japan's yakuza; youngsters are now drawn to newer, tech-savvy 'tokuryu' underworld


Former gangster Yoshiro Nishino (right) discussing management with residents of his group home for ex-offenders in Chiba Prefecture on Nov 7. -- PHOTO: AFP

TOKYO (AFP): When Takanori Kuzuoka began climbing the criminal career ladder, he didn't fancy joining Japan's old-school yakuza, with their tattoos, rigid hierarchy and codes of honour.

Instead, he was drawn to the newer, tech-savvy "tokuryu" underworld, where shadowy criminal kingpins use social media and encrypted messages to recruit often naive foot soldiers to do their dirty work.

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