The article presents a brief excursus into the history of the formation and development of yakuza, the Japanese mafia, and analyzes the features of its development from the formation of urban culture in Japan until 2022. Starting from the formation of modern forms of yakuza, the Japanese mafia has been in the focus of the authorities’ attention not only as a criminal phenomenon, but also as a possible tool in the struggle with the opposition movements.

The activities of the yakuza have always been associated with the political vector of the ruling groups. However, in the pre-war and war periods, under the conditions of strict totalitarian rule, the Japanese mafia withdrew into the shadows. In the post-war period, the yakuza groups divided the territory and business geographically and by spheres of interest.

In the 1960s, the number of yakuza reached its historical maximum of about 200 000 people, almost equaling the size of the country’s police corps or The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Yakuza groups were growing rapidly but, from the early 1970s, the authorities began to lose interest in them, and this process continues up to now. A significant role in reducing the number and influence of the mafia was played by political and economic stability, as well as numerous scandals involving large companies in the activities of the yakuza, which caused serious damage to the image of Japan in the world market.

By 2019, the number of yakuza has sharply decreased as well as their income due to the increased pressure on the Japanese mafia and the police preventional talks with ordinary people. However, the pandemic and the restrictive measures related to it have changed not only the number, but also the structure of criminal communities, as well as the attitude towards them within the Japanese society.