Former Yakuza Member Mako Nishimura Fights for Redemption

Mako Nishimura, once one of Japan’s few female members of the yakuza, is now dedicated to helping former gangsters reintegrate into society. With a criminal past marked by violence and drug involvement, Nishimura, who is now 58, has turned her life around and is actively working to support others like her.

The yakuza, a multi-billion-dollar organized crime network, has long dominated Japan’s illicit activities, including drug trafficking and illegal gambling. However, recent years have seen a significant decline in their power as anti-mafia laws tighten and police crackdowns intensify. In 2022, the number of yakuza members fell below 20,000 for the first time since records began in 1958, reflecting a waning influence in the country.

Navigating a Male-Dominated World

Nishimura’s journey through the yakuza’s patriarchal structure was fraught with challenges. “Rival gangsters looked down on me just because I was a woman, which I hated,” she shared in an interview. She learned to adapt by adopting behaviors typically associated with male gangsters, striving for acknowledgment within a world dominated by brute force and authoritarianism.

Recognized as the first female yakuza after serving a jail sentence for drug possession at age 22, Nishimura’s presence in a male-dominated organization was unusual. While official police records do not provide gender breakdowns, retired anti-mob detective Yuichi Sakurai noted that in his 40 years of service, he had never encountered a female yakuza member.

Around five years ago, Nishimura distanced herself from the criminal underworld, seeking a more stable life. Today, she works at demolition sites, one of the few occupations that accommodates her extensive tattoos. Additionally, she leads the Gifu branch of Gojinkai, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting former criminals.

A Sisterly Figure for Former Gangsters

Among those she supports is Yuji Moriyama, a former gangster who recalls the tough love Nishimura offers. “She’s like a big sister. She scolds us when we deserve it,” he said, reflecting on a time when she made him kneel to apologize after he neglected a community service task. Such mentorship has become a source of pride for Nishimura, who finds fulfillment in helping others transition to a normal life. “The idea I’m doing something good for other people gives me confidence,” she explained.

Nishimura’s past is marked by a strict upbringing, which propelled her into a life of crime following her departure from home as a teenager. Joining a major yakuza clan at just 20, she quickly became entrenched in a world of violence, extortion, and drug dealing. The act of cutting off her own fingertip as punishment for mistakes was emblematic of the brutal rituals of the yakuza.

After leaving the gang in her late 20s, she initially embraced motherhood, raising her son and finding work in the care sector. Unfortunately, her tattoos led to her dismissal, pushing her back into selling drugs. In her late 40s, she briefly rejoined her old gang, only to find it diminished and lacking the dignity it once held.

“The yakuza used to be the king of villains,” she reflected, expressing disillusionment after witnessing her old boss’s struggles to maintain the organization. This realization ultimately prompted her to leave the underworld for good shortly after her 50th birthday.

Today, Nishimura has a new mentor in Satoru Takegaki, the chairman of Gojinkai. Her recently published autobiography, detailing her life and experiences, has also provided a financial boost.

Looking to the future, she remains hopeful about the decline of organized crime in Japan. “I think yakuza will keep shrinking. I hope they will become extinct,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to a better life for herself and those she supports.

Nishimura’s story illustrates a complex narrative of personal transformation and the ongoing struggle against the remnants of a once-powerful criminal empire in Japan.