The Last Yakuza picks up and dives deep where Tokyo Vice left off, and Jake Adelstein hasn't lost a bit of his talent for shocking, amazing, and speaking from harrowing personal experience about people most of us would prefer not to meet in a dark alley.

This story of one man's descent into the underworld is based on the life of a mob boss who slipped into gangsterhood early in life and served as Adelstein's bodyguard after he reported on a yakuza kingpin who broke the rules of both civilized society and the organization he led. This isn't a biography—it's more a portrait of a gangster's life, rounded out with details from more than one source to give 360-degree insights into the pressures of Japanese culture and this very particular hidden society. The side quests that shed light on the main character's life are as gripping as the narrative, offering well-researched insights into everything from gangster tattoos to human kamikaze torpedoes.

Few foreigners have personal ties with Japanese organized crime figures or Japanese police because they are notoriously closed to outsiders. Adelstein is not only on speaking terms with both, he has lived in Japan long enough to accurately depict the forces that draw someone into a life they never sought and explain what insults, betrayal and loyalty look like in a culture that outsiders can only glimpse through the skewed lenses of movies and urban legend.

Highly recommended as both a page turner and food for thought.

Thanks to Little Brown Books for my Copy of The Last Yakuza by Jake Adelstein

As a fan of the Yakuza games, I was intrigued by this non-fiction read, as I wanted to learn more about the background of the Yakuza. I found it very accessible to explore this underworld, particularly through the story of Saigo. I sometimes forgot how young he was, especially at the beginning when he set up his office in Machida at just 17 years old. The book presents the complexity of the Yakuza in a way that avoids Western bias, even though it’s written by a non-Japanese author. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Japanese criminal world and its social dynamics from the 1940s onward. I found it fascinating to discover how Japan ended up in a military dictatorship that led it into the Second World War.

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This book had some really interesting parts and I learned quite a lot, but at times it felt I was plodding through a bit as it wasn’t as exciting as I was expecting

This books has some wonderful strengths -- the language is accessible with some great asides that are sometimes hidden in the footnotes; the subject matter is fascinating as is the fact of who he chose as a entry into the world Saigo who I sometimes forgot how old he was especially at the beginning when he set up his office in Machida at only 17!; and, it's showing the complexity of the Yakuza in a way that wasn't western-biased even though it isn't a Japanese writing this book. I did struggle with this book despite its strengths which is why I have only given it 3 stars-- the start of the book was a bit slow for me but it did pick up and I found myself confused at points because there was no clear this is the hierarchy for about 100 pages (and even then I was confused as I thought already Saigo had joined because he was associated with a different Yakuza before the one he officially joined). But despite these drawbacks and how slowly it took me to read this book, I quite enjoyed learning about the Japanese criminal world and also their social world in the 40s onwards. I found it fascinating the tidbit about how Japan ended up in the military dictatorship that took them into the Second World War (definitely going to go research that more deeply now!).

This was such an interesting book. I know very little about the Yakuza but it was great to learn about their place in modern society. Adelstein is a great author who made non-fiction read like fiction. The flow of the story was great and I really learnt a lot. The only issues with this book is the chronology was occasionally difficult to follow and there were some grammar mistakes but not many.

Very well researched and interesting book about organised crime and organisations. When I first started reading the book I didn't really know anything about the Yakuza. It's very interesting to me, to see how far back this organisation actually goes and how it's actual size is today. In-between I did get a little confused from time to time, so this is definitely not a book for a quick read. I usually am someone who reads fiction, but this book was definitely worth it getting out of my comfort zone.

A very thorough, well researched book about the Yakuza crime world. I literally knew nothing about it going in, and came out with some good knowledge. Can't say I really loved the book though

A detailed insight into a way of life the likes of which may never be seen again, The Last Yakuza is centered around Saigo, and his life coming up through the Inagawa-kai branch of the Yakuza. Through the varied tales of his experiences going from motorcycle gang member to being head of his own gumi, the rules that governed and bound the Yakuza are laid bare. An informative and non-judgmental look at the rise and fall of a criminal orgaisation, this book is a great addition to the shelf of anyone with even a passing interest in this subculture.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

This true crime book gives you an overview of Saigo and the Yakuza life. I wanted to check it out to expand my non-fiction reading and learn more about the Yakuza in Japan, as it’s not something I knew much about. I wasn’t a fan of the storytelling really, I found myself fast-tracking pages forward, but I did enjoy some facts and reading about the politics and organised crime.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. Although I can see this book has been published many years ago, so maybe this version had some updates and being released as hardcover in February 2024.

This is an ideal read for fans of true crime and organised crime. The story tells a well thought out account of the ways in with the Yakuza work. This detailed story was intriguing and full of interesting facts many readers would find interesting and want to learn more.

A biography of both one man (Saigo “Tsunami”) and the broader Yakuza groups and affiliations, this is a very interesting read. However, this twin lens of both one man and wider context means that there are times that the book does seem to meander (albeit in an informative way). As you might expect, the yakuza ranks are filled with those who don’t quite fit into ‘civilian’ society and sadly, due to racism, a number of Korean heritage Japanese have found a more welcoming home in the Yakuza gangs.

The ‘last’ part of the title is that older-style Yakuza groups had a nominal code that they adhered to: don’t kill/hurt/etc. ordinary civilians otherwise you’re no better than a criminal. The yakuza preferred to style themselves as protectors/benefactors which doesn’t work if you’re known for e.g. child abduction. The younger generations coming through the ranks aren’t adhering to the code plus a number of laws being passed (and actually enforced) have made being a yakuza much harder so that the yakuza gangs have seriously decreased in numbers over the last 10-20 years (and the trend is continuing).

A detailed look at a way of life which is unlikely to continue much longer with both good and bad aspects as a result. I received an advance review copy of the book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Last Yakuaza was an interesting and in-depth history of Japanese Organised Crime, the origins and intricacies of the different groups, their alliances and enemies. This would appeal to any fan of true and / or organised crime

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this.

This was a very welcome addition to help me read more non-fiction this year. A fascinating story that taught me so much about a subject I didn’t have a lot of background knowledge about.

This is almost a biography as it follows the story of a specific member of the Yakuza whilst providing wider historical context and information about the Yakuza. This book does contain violence, drugs and crime. It also shows how the Yakuza has changed over time and the impact on the main character.

I found this really interesting, there was a brief moment where I was a little confused by the timeline but on the whole this was easy to follow and a gripping story.

Jake Adelstein (author/ subject of Tokyo Vice)'s biography of Yakuza member Makoto Saigo was written after the author asked Saigo to be his bodyguard following concerns about his and his family's safety following the publication and success of his expose. I thought it interesting that Roberto Saviano - author of 'Gomorrah' and a writer who knows all too well the risks and long term danger of writing such a piece, blurbs the book.
While it IS a biography of Saigo, The Last Yakuza is actually a much broader read about Japan's history (with particular attention to post war Japan), culture, identity and tradition. And as the title hints at, it is a book that looks to the future and what it means for criminal organisation within Japan.
For those familiar with books like Saviano's looking at criminal activity in Italy or other books looking at the US or South American gangs, it might seem 'quaint' or 'dull' (Depending on your POV)- 40% into the book and there are no brutal murders or massive crime heists. 'Crime' is generally confined to small scale operations and the Yakuza's 'code' means no murder, no drugs...even disturbing the neighbourhood with noise is seen as a no=no.
It could be claimed the most graphic elements of the books are self imposed - the tattooing sequence and the 'repayment for dishonor'... and some of the crimes are downright amusing (I've never seen a bank job like the one described here).
But there's a LOT more going on under the surface. Not just about the crimes (which outstrip pretty much any other organisation's activity in terms of profit) but the people involved.
If you're interested in learning about a society through the lens of its criminal elements, this is a book very much worth reading.

It is an interesting account about the life of a Yakuza, which I knew very little about. However, the writing in itself is not really engaging. The story of Saigo could have been written differently to make it more interesting and engaging.

I wanted to read this because I’ve enjoyed Jake Adelstein’s Evaporated podcast – a wide-ranging examination of how and why so many people disappear in Japan. Like Evaporated, The Last Yakuza does have some interesting insights into Japanese life, but it doesn’t have the same spark for me.

We get a comprehensive account of Saigo’s involvement in criminal gangs and right-wing politics, but the writing doesn’t bring the key players to life. There are some exceptions – for example the clash of cultures which Saigo’s Japanese-American mother experiences and the impact on her husband and the young Saigo are well drawn. Overall though, the account of Saigo’s life is very much who did what when. At least it doesn’t glamorise gangsters – their lives come across as brutal but banal.

Adelstein discloses at the beginning that he agreed to write Saigo’s story in exchange for him acting as bodyguard to him and his family. Perhaps he wouldn’t otherwise have chosen to write this book?

If you have a strong interest in the Yakuza and its structures this will be interesting but I wouldn’t recommend it for the general reader looking for a good story.

Jake Adelstien, an investigative journalist, is looking for protection. In the course of his investigations into the yakuza crime bosses in Japan he has annoyed some people who can be violent. Via a 3rd party he is introduced to Makato Saigo who has a reputation as a hard man. Saigo realises that taking on a protection role for Jake may well put him in considerable danger - he asks what Jake will do for him. As part of the negotiation Jake agrees to tell Saigo's story - this book is the result.

The book starts with some background information, the lives of several important yakuzas, why they came to power and how they have changed. He also offers a background on his sources - police, prosecutors, yakuzas - and the access to confidential information. In 2014 a new law was introduced in Japan which allows the prosecution and punishment of those who leak information. This law puts his sources at risk.

The book then gives an introduction to Saigo's background and family. In its way it is quite unusual. While he was born in Japan he was the son of an American born Japanese woman and so was never "fully" Japanese. He was often looked upon as an American. For a while he was in a rock band and then moved to be in, and organise, a motorcycle gang. He morphed from that role into yakuza gangs and approach quite easily.

From this book I understand that the yakuzas have standards/principle and while criminal, avoid harming those who are not part of the crime culture (seems quite variable as to how that works out!). The book gives quite a few stories from Saigo's life and time. Fraud and "negotiation" (in dishonest areas) were common ways for yakuza gangs to seek income for example. Equally yakuza pick fights and then demand compensation! Saigo was a meth user for some time (and incurred debt as a result of it). He was violent (more?) when under the influence of drugs and serves time in prison.

Parts of this book are really entertaining. There is a section which considers the "worst contributions of Japanese science" for example which was amusing and interesting. The cultural background of the phenomenally intricate yakuza tattoos was quite long but interesting and important. There is quite a bit about the history of them as well as the fact that they symbolise endurance (and particularly of pain) within the yakuza culture. However it is also sections like this that illustrate some of my issues with this book. That Saigo wanted such tattoos and the pain that went with that is interesting and an important part of the tale. However we also get the history more generally as well as the language and explanations of that among other things. It is this approach of giving so much information about the varying subjects that slows this book down for me.

Looking at the book overall there is Saigo's story running through it. However there is also a lot about the traditions and cultural influences in Japan in this book too. Throw in the explanations of important yakuza words (and yakuza specific meanings too) and organisations, the multiple meanings of words across sections of Japanese society too and the book becomes quite a heavy read to me. For me Saigo's story while interesting often became lost in the other information the author wanted to offer.

Absolutely amazing book that gives incredible insight to the Japanese and the world of Yakuza. Jake is a phenomenal writer and it feels so cinematic. Hits all the notes.