Investigating the dynamics of yakuza violence using multilevel network analysis

This paper investigates the structure of the yakuza – the Japanese mafia – and the patterns of violence between local yakuza groups using a novel dataset of yakuza-on-yakuza conflict throughout Japan between 2014 and 2019. We define new multilevel temporal reciprocity measures and apply a multilevel exponential random graph model to investigate the structure of yakuza violence. We find low levels of retaliation and complex ‘cascading’ conflict structures and that yakuza syndicates act as cohesive organizations that can constrain the actions of their member groups. This research contributes to the understanding of the yakuza’s structure and how violent conflict occurs within organized crime groups. • We define new multilevel temporal reciprocity measures. • Yakuza groups exhibit low levels of reciprocal violence and complex status-oriented conflict structures. • Yakuza syndicates and alliances are effective at reducing conflict between affiliated groups.