ABSTRACT
This chapter examines 21st century trends in organized crime in Asia, focusing on Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian organized crime activities. The term yakuza itself dates back to the beginning of the 1600s. Modern-day yakuza have been especially inspired by the exploits of the masterless samurai warriors, or ronin, who roamed late medieval Japan. The chapter explores the importance of understanding the unique underlying historical and cultural traditions that foster the development of organized crime groups. China is now experiencing most of the globalization trends and trade liberalization enjoyed by the rest of the world, and along with the free market comes the risks of transnational organized crime activities. In parts of Asia, in particularly Southeast Asia, poverty has been a key driver for the expansion of crime, corruption, prostitution and various smuggling and trafficking networks.
