Recently I picked up and read a new book “The Last Yakuza” which offers an unprecedented account of the yakuza’s history. I have always been fascinated by Japanese history and culture thanks to many trips I took across the country over the years. My rating for this book: ★ ★ ★ (It’s good, interesting, just not great)
Makoto Saigo, also known as Tsunami, navigates the world of organized crime in Japan, where loyalty and strength are paramount. Amidst intricate internal politics and legal pressures, Saigo becomes embroiled in a decades-long struggle for the yakuza’s future. Investigative journalist Jake Adelstein delivers a gripping biography, detailing Saigo’s journey from postwar desperation to the present day, highlighting the complex dynamics within the yakuza and their political influence in Japan. With insights from Adelstein’s extensive reporting, this compelling narrative sheds light on a disappearing way of life.
