Tokyo Vice: Malaysia’s Role in Yakuza Business – A Deep Dive
Analysis of Article: Malaysia & Organized Crime (Yakuza & Scams)
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1. Key Figure: Jake Adelstein
Occupation: American investigative journalist and author of Tokyo Vice.
Experience: Covered crime and the yakuza in Japan for 12 years (1993-2005) at the yomiuri Shimbun (first non-japanese staff writer).
Notable Work: Exposed links between organized crime and law enforcement, including a yakuza boss’s deal with the FBI. View on Malaysia: Believes Malaysia is a “splendid example” of how to deter organized crime and corruption. he’s never heard of the FBI or Japan’s NPA identifying Malaysia as a source or base for organized crime, specifically the yakuza.
2. Why Malaysia is Unattractive to the Yakuza
Strict Laws: Malaysia has severe penalties for involvement in organized criminal groups (up to 20 years imprisonment). This includes:
Membership
Recruitment
Assistance/Protection
Financial benefits
general Unsuitability: Adelstein states Malaysia is a “bad place for business” for the yakuza.
3. Countries Attractive to Organized Crime (Yakuza & Scams)
Laos & Cambodia: Described as “ripe for organized crime” and corruption due to:
Past instability
Low civil servant pay
Singapore: Surprisingly, a location where many organized crime companies from Japan are setting up business.
Southeast Asia (General): A destination for scam call centers originating from Japan (according to Shigeru Yotoriyama).
4. Shifting yakuza Tactics
From Extortion to Fraud: New Japanese laws criminalizing yakuza payments (protection money, services) have led them to increasingly focus on fraud.
5. Scam Call Center Movement
Origin: Japan
Destination: Southeast asia (believed to offer opportunities to avoid arrest through bribery – Yotoriyama).
6. Relevant Data Table: Country Risk Assessment (Organized Crime)
| Country | Risk Level (Yakuza/Scams) | Contributing Factors | source |
|—————|—————————-|—————————————————|—————–|
| Malaysia | Low | Strict laws, effective enforcement | jake Adelstein |
| Laos | High | Historical instability, low civil servant pay | Jake Adelstein |
| Cambodia | High | Historical instability, low civil servant pay | Jake Adelstein |
| Singapore | Moderate | Attractive for business setup (Japanese org. crime) | Jake Adelstein |
| southeast asia| Moderate-High | Perceived bribery opportunities (scam call centers) | Shigeru Yotoriyama|
7.Key Individuals Mentioned
Jake Adelstein: Investigative journalist.
Shigeru yotoriyama: Retired senior commissioner of Japan’s National police Agency.
8. Image Information
The image depicts Shigeru Yotoriyama.
Caption: He stated that scam call centers are moving from Japan to southeast Asia.
data-image-source="https://www.malaymail.com/malaymail/uploads/images/2025/09/05/297429.jpg"
data-image-alt="Shigeru yotoriyama, who retired as senior commissioner of Japan's National Police Agency in 2021 after 35 years of service, said scam call centres have been moving from Japan to South-east Asia - Picture by Raymond Manuel"
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