
Yakuza and Constitution

Since the enactment of the Anti-Boryokudan Act and Yakuza exclusion ordinances, the number of Yakuza members has reduced to less than 60,000. In the past 3 years, about 20,000 members have left Yakuza organizations. However, the numbers alone does not explain the reality. What are they thinking? How are they living now? Our camera follows “Azuma-gumi Ⅱ, Seiyu-kaiⅡ”, a designated Boryokudan in Osaka. The murder case where the boss was sentenced to 15 years in prison is said to have triggered the enactment of the Anti-Boryokudan Act. The boss started by saying “Human rights of Yakuza and their families are being increasingly abused”. Yakuza and Constitution…. Let us take a close look into the lives of the Yakuza today.
Click here to preview this program!
-
The 40th Otsuna Festival -Invigorating a Community-
2018 30 mins[Festivals of Japan Season 2] Half-naked men pull on a giant white rope. Eighty meters long and about a ton in weight, the rope is the central focus of the Tosa City Otsuna Festival. Originally an Edo Period tradition, the festival was brought back by people hoping to energize a community...more details -
The Life Work of a 92-Year-Old Hibakusha, Setsuko Thurlow
2024 25 minutesAt the age of 13, Setsuko Thurlow experienced the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. Now living in Canada, she has spent more than half a century advocating for nuclear disarmament. At 92 years old, she continues to press forward in her mission. This program closely follows her life in Canada, documenting...more details -
Toriou Festival -Fierce and Fiery Festival Fight-
2018 30 mins[Festivals of Japan Season 2] The "Toriou Festival" of Imari City, Saga Prefecture dates back to the mid-to-late 14th century. It is said to have originated from the defeat of warrior Kikuchi Takeshige against Ashikaga. Fleeing to the Ozato Region, Takeshige trained to withstand fire, originating this fiery and dangerous...more details -
Superfood: Black Rice of Kawachino(Saga Prefecture)
2021 25 minutes[Colors in Japan] Originating in Imari, Saga Prefecture, black rice has been cultivated for centuries. Renowned for its nutritional value and potential beauty benefits, this ancient grain continues to inspire culinary innovation. Click here to preview the program! Part of the "Colors in Japan" series!more details