Barbershops give Japan's yakuza their edge

In a Tokyo barbershop, yakuza gangster Tekisasu admires his recently styled hair in the mirror, expressing gratitude to the hairdresser for the essential weekly service. Japan's yakuza, an organized crime empire worth billions, has traditionally dominated various sectors, including drug rings, gambling dens, and the sex trade. To maintain their menacing and wealthy image, many mobsters rely on barbers for meticulous grooming, as emphasized by Tekisasu in a recent interview.

The 44-year-old gangster, who belongs to a major clan, believes that a cleaner appearance enhances one's reputation.

For Tekisasu and his fellow mobsters, barbershops offer a respite from their violent lifestyle and the increasing pressure from authorities. Yakuza numbers have plummeted to a record low of 17,600 nationwide, yet the gangsters remain a significant threat, with younger members joining to diversify their criminal activities. Tekisasu's barber, who serves around ten active yakuza clients, takes pride in making them look more aggressive, despite the gangsters' involvement in criminal activities.

Despite the risks, many people, including some gangsters, romanticize the yakuza's traditions, lifestyles, and codes of honor. However, the reality often involves mundane activities such as organized fraud, with an increasing number of rank-and-file mobsters engaging in these crimes.

Originally a gangsta rapper, Tekisasu entered the yakuza world in his mid-20s, was arrested, jailed, and released last year. He expresses his desire to live a peaceful life without harming or being harmed but acknowledges that such a world doesn't exist. Despite the pressure to remain in the violent underworld, gangsters can choose to leave.

In 2024, approximately 320 gangsters quit their activities, partly due to intensified efforts by authorities. Under Tokyo's anti-yakuza laws, businesses are not allowed to provide benefits to mobsters to aid their activities. Barbers who intentionally help yakuza clients maintain their appearance are unlikely to violate the rules, provided the transactions are fair.

According to retired anti-mafia detective Yuichi Sakurai, any preferential treatment, such as offering reduced haircut prices, could be considered an illegal favor. In his experience, many mobsters value frequent haircuts to retain their intimidating appearance. Tekisasu's barber, who has been in the profession for decades, is proud that gangsters trust his uncompromising standards.

The barber's specialty, punch perms, originated in Japan during the 1960s and 1970s as a reaction against longer, Beatles-inspired hairstyles. While some believe the short haircuts were useful during brawls, Tekisasu finds them simply manly and cool. Yakuza patronage involves risks, as the barber must space appointments to avoid conflicts between rival gangsters.

However, once the clients leave the shop, the barber's involvement ends, and any subsequent events are beyond his control.