The roots of the Yakuza stretch back to the 17th-century . They primarily descended from two marginalized groups:
Itinerant street peddlers who sold illicit or shoddy goods at festivals and markets. yakuza
But the modern era is rapidly changing this ancient underworld. As of 2025, Yakuza membership has plummeted to a record low of approximately 18,800, down from a peak of over 184,000 in the 1960s. 1. Origins: From Gamblers to Outcasts The roots of the Yakuza stretch back to the 17th-century