Inside the Yakuza | Jake Adelstein | Ep. 375
Inside the Yakuza | Jake Adelstein | Ep. 375  
Podcast: The Team House
Published On: Sat Oct 11 2025
Description: Investigative journalist Jake Adelstein details his career covering the Japanese criminal underworld, from his early days reporting in Tokyo to the high-stakes confrontation with Yakuza boss Goto Tadamasa that forced him into police protection. The interview thoroughly examines the Yakuza's culture, including the history behind their tattoos and the ritual of the sacrificial finger, and discusses the decline of the crime syndicate in modern Japan. Later, the conversation covers Adelstein's unique projects, such as investigating human trafficking and the Fukushima disaster, before revealing his path to becoming a Zen Buddhist priest. Finally, he introduces his latest book, The Devil Takes Bitcoin, which chronicles the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange collapse.Jake's new book:https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Takes-Bitcoin-Cryptocurrency-Connection-ebook/dp/B0FL8QSK2Y?ref_=ast_author_mpbAll of Jake's books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jake-Adelstein/author/B002D68IJE?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueToday's Sponsors:Perfect Jean ⬇️https://theperfectjean.nyc/house15for 15% offGhostBed⬇️https://www.ghostbed.com/houseFOR 10% off! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouseTo help support the show and for all bonus content including:-live shows and asking guest questions -ad free audio and video-early access to shows-Access to ALL bonus segments with our guestsSubscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouseSupport the show here:⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse___________________________________________________Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured__________________________________Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/——————————————————————Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouseSocial Media: ⬇️The Team House Instagram:https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_linkThe Team House Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePodJack’s Instagram:https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_linkJack’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21Dave’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21Team House Discord: ⬇️https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6SubReddit: ⬇️https://www.reddit.com/r/TheTeamHouse/Jack Murphy's memoir "Murphy's Law" can be found here:⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/Murphys-Law-Journey-Investigative-Journalist/dp/1501191241The Team Room Reading Room (Amazon Affiliate links):⬇️ https://jackmurphywrites.com/the-team-room-reading-room/Intro music by https://www.youtube.com/user/RemixSample"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"00:00 Start02:38 Adelstein's origin story as a reporter in Tokyo.08:37 The unique dynamic between police, press, and Yakuza.18:31 Becoming a target of Yakuza boss Goto Tadamasa.26:49 Deep dive into Yakuza history and their code of conduct.31:30 Yakuza cultural symbols: tattoos and the sacrificial finger.50:13 Continuation of Saigo's story and the messy finger-cutting incident.1:11:19 Japanese anti-Semitism and the Om Shinrikyo cult.1:18:52 Work on the U.S. State Department human trafficking study.1:35:43 Reporting on the Fukushima disaster and Yakuza in the nuclear industry.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.