Investigative journalist Jake Adelstein details his career covering the Japanese criminal underworld, from his early days reporting in Tokyo to the high-stakes confrontation with Yakuza boss Goto Tadamasa that forced him into police protection. The interview thoroughly examines the Yakuza's culture, including the history behind their tattoos and the ritual of the sacrificial finger, and discusses the decline of the crime syndicate in modern Japan. Later, the conversation covers Adelstein's unique projects, such as investigating human trafficking and the Fukushima disaster, before revealing his path to becoming a Zen Buddhist priest. Finally, he introduces his latest book, The Devil Takes Bitcoin, which chronicles the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange collapse.
Jake's new book:
https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Takes-Bitcoin-Cryptocurrency-Connection-ebook/dp/B0FL8QSK2Y?ref_=ast_author_mpb
All of Jake's books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jake-Adelstein/author/B002D68IJE?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Today's Sponsors:
Perfect Jean ⬇️
https://theperfectjean.nyc/house15
for 15% off
GhostBed⬇️
https://www.ghostbed.com/house
FOR 10% off!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON!
https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouse
To help support the show and for all bonus content including:
-live shows and asking guest questions
-ad free audio and video
-early access to shows
-Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests
Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️
https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse
Support the show here:⬇️
https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse
___________________________________________________
Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️
https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured
__________________________________
Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️
https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/
——————————————————————
Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️
https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouse
Social Media: ⬇️
The Team House Instagram:
https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_link
The Team House Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePod
Jack’s Instagram:
https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_link
Jack’s Twitter:
https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21
Dave’s Twitter:
https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21
Team House Discord: ⬇️
https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6
SubReddit: ⬇️
https://www.reddit.com/r/TheTeamHouse/
Jack Murphy's memoir "Murphy's Law" can be found here:⬇️
https://www.amazon.com/Murphys-Law-Journey-Investigative-Journalist/dp/1501191241
The Team Room Reading Room (Amazon Affiliate links):⬇️
https://jackmurphywrites.com/the-team-room-reading-room/
Intro music by https://www.youtube.com/user/RemixSample
"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"
00:00 Start
02:38 Adelstein's origin story as a reporter in Tokyo.
08:37 The unique dynamic between police, press, and Yakuza.
18:31 Becoming a target of Yakuza boss Goto Tadamasa.
26:49 Deep dive into Yakuza history and their code of conduct.
31:30 Yakuza cultural symbols: tattoos and the sacrificial finger.
50:13 Continuation of Saigo's story and the messy finger-cutting incident.
1:11:19 Japanese anti-Semitism and the Om Shinrikyo cult.
1:18:52 Work on the U.S. State Department human trafficking study.
1:35:43 Reporting on the Fukushima disaster and Yakuza in the nuclear industry.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.

Inside the Yakuza | Jake Adelstein | Ep. 375

The Team House