Shinya Yuyama is a former member of the yakuza in Japan. He says he was arrested 11 times, as a juvenile and adult, and has served eight years in prison. He says he joined the mob when he was 18 and served in several positions before leaving in 2012.
He speaks with Insider about the ways the yakuza makes money, such as extortion and protection rackets. He discusses the initiation ceremonies and rules of membership as well as the ties the yakuza has to other crime groups, such as the triads and Russian organized crime.
Since leaving the yakuza, Yuyama has run a YouTube channel and run for political office on a platform of prison reform.
