Ties Cut Deeper Than Blood: The Historical and Cultural Context of Japanese Delinquent Groups

Abstract

Japan is well-known for its low crime rate, yet also known for its colorful array of delinquent groups. These groups have been the product of different socioeconomic classes (much to the despair of Japanese officials wanting to appear as classless), as well as historical events such as the American Occupation post-World War II. This research is aimed at discussing what those historical and cultural contexts are, as well as building up future research in analysis of these groups in Japanese media.