Gang Enterprises

Each yakuza gang maintains a bakuto parlor. As the gang grows in size and influence, it regularly branches out into a number of other nefarious enterprises, generally starting with extortion and prostitution and then moving onto narcotics, smuggling, entertainments, and sometimes even assassinations. Beyond these endeavors, each gang is also likely to operate a number of more mundane businesses associated with the hinin-eta castes. These legitimate businesses are expected to be profitable but also serve as fronts when necessary for the gang.

Assassinations Assassinations in this case is short-hand for violence and death done for profit. It includes the kumicho hiring out his men as mercenaries, banditry (always engaged in outside of the community in which the yakuza gang operates), and traditional killings done for a fee.

Bakuto Parlor Every yakuza gang maintains at least one bakuto parlor, a gambling establishment which frequently serves double duty as a gang meeting hall, main office and sake house. The exact nature of the gambling offered may vary from one location to another, but dice games are fairly ubiquitous. Many yakuza gangs are willing to advance credit to their customers, so long as the customer is a member of the community, but the interest on these advancements is high and often lead to the debtor selling his own family members to the yakuza so that the debt may be worked off.

Drugs Yakuza families involved in the drug trade are most likely to be found in the cities, but some rural gangs make a good living off of the production and smuggling of narcotics.

Entertainment The yakuza traditionally control the entertainment industries, if such exist, within the communities they occupy. Street theaters, geisha, acrobats, wrestlers and the like are all brought into the yakuza organization, and forced to pay fees for the privilege of performing. In towns or cities with actual theaters, the yakuza gang often owns the property, allowing only those entertainers loyal to them to perform within.

Extortion After the bakuto parlor, most yakuza organizations quickly move into the extortion business, charging a fee to local businesses for the privilege of the yakuza's protection. Those individuals who do not cooperate voluntarily can expect to suffer assaults upon their persons and their property until they capitulate. The yakuza are not above kidnapping the women of those men who do not go along with their program of mutual communal defense, or, upon occasion, burning down the homes or businesses of the same. Just as they are willing to advance credit in their bakuto parlors, yakuza groups often make business loans to members of their community, but, again, the interest rates they charge are typically high, and those who cannot repay must frequently give over their wives, sons or daughters.

Prostitution While not all yakuza gangs operate brothels, most of the larger families do. The women are seldom there voluntarily. While some have been kidnapped, or are supporting drug habits, most are “working” off debts run up by their husbands or fathers.

Smuggling While all yakuza gangs have some experience with smuggling contraband, a few operate regular smuggling rings, making scheduled runs. Weapons, drugs, luxury items, and even food are all transported out of the sight of government officials and the taxman. Gangs involved in smuggling often deal in shoddy or stolen goods as well, though they almost never steal, or condone stealing, from the community in which they are stationed.