Yakuza are regarded as semi-legitimate organizations . For example , immediately after the Kobe earthquake , the Yamaguchi-gumi , whose headquarters are in Kobe , mobilized itself to provide disaster relief services ( including the use of a helicopter ) , and this was widely reported by the media as a contrast to the much slower response by the Japanese government . The Yakuza repeated their aid after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami , with groups opening their offices to refugees and sending dozens of trucks with supplies to affected areas . For this reason , many Yakuza regard their income and hustle ( '' shinogi '' ) as a collection of a feudal tax
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Yakuza