ALTHOUGH JAPAN HAS VERY LITTLE STREET CRIME OR VIOLENCE, THE NUMBER OF ORGANIZED GANGS IN THE COUNTRY RANGES FROM TWO TO FIVE THOUSAND. MOST OF THE SMALL GANGS ARE AFFILIATED WITH ONE ANOTHER UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF ONE OF THE DOZEN MAJOR GANGS. THE REPORTS IN THIS BOOK EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING JAPANESE CULTURE GENERALLY IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE INTRICATE WORKINGS OF THESE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS. THE AUTHOR REPORTS INTERVIEWS WITH SMALL-TIME GANGSTERS, ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITIES, THE HEAD OF THE LARGEST GANG, AS WELL AS POLICE, BUSINESS, AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS.