LUPIN THE THIRD
Japan's most famous cartoon Yakuza
Obama said, "These organizations facilitate and aggravate violent civil conflicts and increasingly facilitate the activities of other dangerous persons. " Ha! Ha! Ha! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!
On July 24th, President Barack Obama declared war on the yakuza (ヤクザ）aka The Japanese mafia, in an executive order which stated that “(the yakuza) are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dangerous to the United States; they are increasingly entrenched in the operations of foreign governments and the international financial system, thereby weakening democratic institutions, degrading the rule of law, and undermining economic markets. These organizations facilitate and aggravate violent civil conflicts and increasingly facilitate the activities of other dangerous persons. I therefore determine that significant transnational criminal organizations constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States, and hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that threat.”
So the USA, the world's biggest criminal organization decides that the Yakuza are a threat? Really? I'd care to debate that issue. I don't think in the entire history of the Yakuza could they have killed or robbed nearly as many people as the United States does on a daily basis.
Need examples? How about bombing and murdering people all over the world since the end of World War II and how about robbing their own people through the coercion of taxation and debt since 1913?
Nope. The Yakuza could never hold a candle to the criminal institution that is the United Sates government.
It is though, cool (in a twisted sense), to see these Yakuza guys getting some foreign recognition finally. Might just increase the interest in and mystique of Japan.
By the way, I know a few Yakuza pretty well. I wrote about a very close experience with one I still see from time to time here in "Yazuka: Japan's Modern Day Cowboys".
The Yakuza have always been nice to me and very friendly. But, as my friend said about one Yakuza boss we both know well (and like), "Yeah. He is a very nice guy. The scariest ones are always the nicest ones."
The Yakuza have always been nice to me and very friendly. But, as my friend said about one Yakuza boss we both know well (and like), "Yeah. He is a very nice guy. The scariest ones are always the nicest ones."
Fact is, I'm meeting this Yakuza on Saturday night and will drink with him. I'll ask him what he thinks of this and maybe he'll have a funny answer.
He usually does... I mean, after all, he is a really nice guy.
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