Abstract

Letter from Tokyo

Japan is experiencing the worst crime wave in its entire history: more major crimes are committed than ever before and there has been a vast increase in both number of gangs and number of gang members. In addition, though the national police forces are doing their best, there is definite feeling that their best is not enough. As one might expect in a society where there is a place for everyone and everyone has his place, very little crime is' committed by those outside the organizations devoted to it. The problem is that these organizations have grown so rapidly in number and membership during this past year. In 1957 there were only 3,000 known gangs in Japan, comprising some 37,000 persons; this year there are nearer 5,000, and the membership is up to almost 54000.