The Japanese mafia, commonly known as the Yakuza, has fascinated both the media and the organized crime buffs for years. The group – comprising hard-boiled criminals affiliated with different sub-factions – is said to have originated among ronin (masterless samurai), who resorted to crime to make a living. Like the Italian Cosa Nostra, the Yakuza has spread its wings to various sections of the globe over the years, but its primary base remains Japan.