In a message dated 4/29/99 1:49:42 PM, dhomeric@jps.net writes:

<<
What I've learned about them indicates that they do, in fact, harass
ordinary store owners and don't feel disgraced or dishonored in the
slightest.  They don't generally firebomb said stores, though--a little
property damage or business disruption is enough to make an ordinary
store owner pay up.>>

			I have learned quite the opposite. In fact, the 
sources I read say that the Police will generally ignore the Yakuza as long 
as they do not harass everyday citizens. My big source is an article that 
appeared a few months ago in Gear magazine called "Inside the Yakuza" by 
Willaim T. Vollman, a journalist who is generally known for his integerity 
and usually does not take up only one-side of an issue he is writing on. Most 
Yakuza are jailed for bribing high-ranking politcians and other government or 
buisness offcials. They are mainly into high-profile crimes and try to avoid 
petty stuff like the protection racket. I think it would be more believable 
if the a politcian paid the Yakuza to wipe Ukyou out because she heard or saw 
something she was not supposed to like maybe one night she heard some noises 
from the alley and when she went to check it out, she saw a high ranking 
public offcial (a man known and elected for his integerity and ethics) 
getting a blowjob from a teenage (13-15) prostitute. If the information was 
ever leeked the politcians career would be over and his life would be ruined. 
But maybe the politcian has some Yakuza contacts so he gets them to get rid 
of her (She already declined a bribe.)