Tokyo Vice: Interview with Jake Adelstein
Read an exciting (sort of) interview with the author and chief editor of the web-site, Jake Adelstein.
I’ve been working on this thing now for almost three years and its nice to finally see it in print. If you’re curious about the sex industry in Japan, about yakuza, cops, journalists and all that can go terribly wrong in the little island country of the rising sun, please read the book. The following interview was done for Random House, who have been kind enough to publish the book.
What drew you to Japan in the first place, and how did you wind up going to university there?
In high school I had many problems with anger and self-control. I had been studying Zen Buddhism and karate, and I thought Japan would be the perfect place to reinvent myself. It could be that my pointy right ear draws me toward neo-Vulcan pursuits—I don’t know.
When I got to Japan, I managed to find lodgings in a Soto Zen Buddhist temple where I lived for three years, attending zazen meditation at least once a week. I didn’t become enlightened, but I did get a better hold on myself.
How did you become a journalist for the most popular Japanese-language newspaper?
The Yomiuri Shinbun runs a standardized test, open to all college students. Many Japanese firms hire young grads this way. My friends thought that the idea of a white guy trying to pass a Japanese journalist’s exam was so impossibly quixotic that I wanted to prove them wrong. I spent an entire year eating instant ramen and studying. I managed to find the time to do it by quitting my job as an English teacher and working as a Swedish-massage therapist for three overworked Japanese women two days a week. It turned out to be a slightly sleazy gig, but it paid the bills.
There was a point when I was ready to give up studying and the application process. Then, when I was in Kabukicho on June 22, 1992, I asked a tarot fortune-telling machine for advice on my career path, and it said that with my overpowering morbid curiosity I was destined to become a journalist, a job at which I would flourish, and that fate would be on my side. I took that as a good sign. I still have the printout.
I did well enough on the initial exam to get to the interviews, and managed to stumble my way through that process and get hired. I think I was an experimental case that turned out reasonably well.
How did you succeed in uncovering the underworld in a country that is famously “closed” or restricted to foreigners? Do you think people talked more openly to you because you were American?
I think Japan is actually more open than people give it credit for. However, to get the door open, you really need to become fluent in the spoken and written language. The written language was a nightmare for me.
You’re right, though; it was mostly an advantage to be a foreigner—it made me memorable. The yakuza are outsiders in Japanese society, and perhaps being a fellow outsider gave us a weird kind of bond. The cops investigating the yakuza also tend to be oddballs. I was mentored into an early understanding and appreciation of the code of both the yakuza and the cops. Reciprocity and honor are essential components for both.
I also think the fact that I’m too stupid to be afraid when I should be, and annoyingly persistent as well—these things didn’t help me in long-term romance, but they helped me as a crime reporter.
Do you feel that investigative journalism is being threatened or aided by the expansion of the Internet and news blogs, and the closing down of many printed newspapers?
In one sense it is being threatened because investigative journalism is rarely a solo project. It requires huge amounts of resources, capital, and time to really do one story correctly. Legal costs and FOIA documents are expensive things. The bigger the target, the greater the risk and the more money is required. The second-biggest threat to investigative journalism is crooked lawyers and corporate shills who sue as a harassment tactic. In general, it’s rather hard and time-consuming to be an army of one. It took me almost three years to break the story about yakuza receiving liver transplants at UCLA on my own. The costs in financial terms were immense, and so were the losses along the way. A team of reporters could have done the work much faster, probably.
However, these things said, blogging is also a great source of news that might go unreported, or be overlooked, by the mainstream media. Twitter, too, has had an interesting impact, actually helping a journalist get out of jail in the case of James Karl Buck. We’re beginning to see kind of a public option in investigative journalism, too—such as things like ProPublica. They do an awesome job at investigative journalism, partly through donations, and they have a great Web site. So the Internet is not all bad for investigative journalism, as long as we proceed with caution and forethought. At the same time, real intelligence-gathering work actually requires you to put down your cell phone and your computer and get off your ass and meet people in the real world. As odious as it may be, we have to sift through garbage, pound the pavement, and visit the scene of the crime. Not all answers can be found in front of a keyboard, or on Google, and the “it’s all in the database” mentality is the bane of reporting and often generates shoddy reporting. HUMINT is essential.
The individual journalist can do great investigative work—it’s just a lot harder, and usually financially difficult to do unless you’re independently wealthy, like Bruce Wayne. Most of us don’t have the time or the resources or the luxury of holding down a day job and doing investigative journalism on the side, as a hobby.
Has anything changed with regard to sex trafficking in Japan in the recent past?
Japan should be given credit for really cracking down on the sexual trafficking and exploitation of foreign women. Unfortunately, this has prompted the scumbags who rule the human-trafficking world to set their sights on domestic victims, usually runaway teenage girls.
I’m on the Board of Directors of Polaris Project Japan, a nonprofit organization that set up hotlines several years ago for foreign human-trafficking victims. We are now receiving many calls from teenage girls who are being blackmailed or coerced into prostitution. Of course, these girls also provide fodder for child pornography and neo-child pornography, which Japan still produces in great amounts.
It would be nice to see Japan create some real shelters for teenage runaways rather than just driving them into the arms of the bad guys.
In Tokyo Vice, there is a price placed on your head by a certain yakuza faction. Can you travel freely in Japan today?
I wish I knew the answer to this one. I’m still nominally under the protection of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. The faction I pissed off, the Goto-gumi, has been split into two groups. Goto Tadamasa, their leader, is now allegedly retired and a Buddhist priest. He was a notorious yakuza gang boss, very wealthy, and known to decimate his enemies—even public figures. He may be officially retired, but cars belonging to the Goto-gumi have been showing up parked around my neighborhood. You can recognize them by their license plates, which include the number 510, readable as go-to in Japanese—and they are usually black Mercedes-Benz. Yakuza love German cars. I don’t know why the cars are there, but it makes me feel ill at ease.
I’ve also unintentionally alienated the leader of the Matsuba-kai, another Tokyo crime group, by mentioning him in a Japanese article I wrote on Goto’s deal with the FBI. This guy didn’t make a deal with the FBI, though, as far as I know. I’m pointing that out so maybe he’ll decide I haven’t smeared mud on his face.
I go back and forth between the United States and Japan, and when I’m in Japan, I have a bodyguard and driver who used to be a yakuza crime boss himself. He travels with me constantly when I’m there—like a really, really, really big shadow.
The thing about the worst of the yakuza—and they’re not all evil—is that you can’t worry only about your own physical safety. There’s a chance that your friends or loved ones will be brutalized in your place. It’s certainly happened in Japan before, to other journalists. Even if you’re not terrorized physically, they can still ruin your life. Goto-gumi is a great intelligence-gathering organization, and extortion and blackmail are powerful tools to discredit someone or make them shut up—even Japan’s National Police Agency noted the group’s ability to use the media to silence their enemies. In the Goto-gumi’s case, they actually own a private detective agency. That’s not uncommon for organized crime groups in Japan, as is noted in the book. There are many yakuza groups that excel in collecting damaging information on cops and writers who get in their way. This summer in a police raid, the Aichi Police Department found the car registrations of several of their detectives in the offices of the yakuza. In other words, the yakuza know where the detectives live, and probably much more. That’s what makes them formidable entities—because if you cross them, they’ll expose your quirks, fetishes, weaknesses, indiscretions, and mistakes to the world. Failing that, they’ll find someone you care about and ruin their life.
I realized several years ago, when I started writing about human-trafficking issues in Japan, that I was able to accept the possibility of getting whacked in the process of reporting on the criminals involved. Not that I would be happy about it—but I accepted the risk. What I can’t accept is the risk that what I choose to do endangers people I care for, or the sources who trust me. I’ve done everything I can to minimize those risks, and perhaps some of it has been unsavory. You can’t deal with the most violent and sociopathic factions of the yakuza without becoming a little like them yourself. 毒をもって毒を制す。: “Fight poison with poison.” It’s a handy Japanese proverb to know.
What do you hope your American audience can learn from your book?
I think everyone will take away something different from the book. I suppose you can learn a lot about how journalism works in Japan, how the police work, and how the yakuza work. I would also hope that people take away from the book an understanding of some of the things I really like about Japan and the Japanese, things like reciprocity, honor, loyalty, and stoic suffering. I think in Japan, I learned how important it is to keep your word, to never forget your debts—and not just the financial ones—and to make repayment in due course. Perhaps that’s what honor is all about.
There’s a word in Japanese, 反面教師, hanmen kyoshi, which means, more or less, “the teacher who teaches by his bad example.” At times, I’m an excellent hanmen kyoshi in the book.
Everything I’ve learned that’s important to me is in the book somewhere. I hope there’s something universal in the contents beyond just making people aware of cultural differences between the United States and Japan, or reiterating the importance and value of investigative journalism. Like a book I would choose to read to my children, I hope there’s some kind of moral to it all. Maybe the real lesson is to be kind and helpful to the people you care about whenever you can, because it’s good for them, and good for you, and your time with them may be much shorter than you imagined.
I don’t know if I deserve a peaceful life but thank you for the kind wishes.
Good luck learning Japanese. I still find it a fascinating language. As for more justice in the world, that would be awesome. I want to believe that karma exists. I’d be a better neo-Buddhist if I did. It seems like the only karma in the world is the one we make ourselves. The law is supposed to institutionalize karma and justice, but it often comes up short. But at least there are some really dedicated people in the world trying to see that justice is served.
Jimmy,
Thank you! Hmm….stay out of trouble. I can’t resist borrowing from Raymond Chandler and saying, “I can’t do that. Trouble is my business.” (LOL!)
Hi Jake,
Just finished your book ‘Tokyo Vice’. It’s an absorbing read, though I found it quite difficult to finish it in one sitting, especially after Hamaya took her own life. As someone who has ‘survived’ a loved one’s suicide, I may know a little how you feel, and I empathise.
There are few heroes in your book; only flawed characters who try to do their best with each passing day.
Peace to you and your family.
Hi Ken,
It still makes me sad to think about her.
Suicide is always a tragedy. However, for the yakuza, it seems to be the only retirement plan.
Well, when they are faced with the possibility of dying on jail, maybe dying as a free man at their own time and on their own terms makes sense.
For the most evil of the yakuza, suicide may be an option that is too kind for them. I hope that Helena was an undercover cop who was pulled off the case when it was deemed that her cover was blown. Good luck with your next book, Jake.
Hey Jake, excellent read! I spent a year studying abroad in Osaka, and although it was infinitely less exciting and dramatic, it still took me back.
This is kind of a silly question, but when you’re writing the dialogue, how do you remember everything!? Is it just paraphrased? Or maybe you carry around a recorder in your pocket all the time? I’ve always wondered how journalist do that.
Anyways, thanks for your dedication to righting the world’s wrongs!
I just finished the book–it’s a great, searing and harrowing story with a lot of humanity. It really ought to be filmed as a six part (or more) limited series–I’m sure the BBC could do it justice. Cheers, Jake, for sharing this with us.
Hi, I just finished your book. It was very interesting and informative and sad. Thank you for having the guts to shine a light on those dark and ugly places. Keep up the good work!
Thank you. I try and stay out of dark places as much as possible these days. LOL.
Just finished your audiobook. Incredible story. Felt your emotions at certain parts of the book. I have a question for you. Can you email me privately? Niko
Hi Jake,
I just finished your book and I am so impressed with it—I rarely get a book with so much emotional intensity and wit. I enjoyed it immensely. The humanity and your story of what you, your friends, and family have gone through is so heart pulling and raw, I can only say you’re a man that should be looked up too.
I stayed in Japan for 3 months early last year and I really enjoyed my time there. I met so many people, and the people, culture there was so divine—it is hard to believe the underbelly of japan is so dark and scary. I am definitely interested in what you stand for and what you’re working towards! Keep it up!
Happy New Year! THe underbelly of Japan is deep and dark. But it’s also probably part of the reason there is so little street crime. Organized crime abhors disorder. Also, if people are afraid of being mugged or having their purses snatched–they avoid the red-light areas where the yakuza draw revenue. They police their turf efficiently and viciously.
Thank you for the kind words about the book.
Hi, Jake.
I just read your book; the first book I purchased for my Kindle!
Just wanted to say thanks for getting me back into reading. I was hooked from the start; on the train, in class and in my bedroom, I’ve taken your story pretty much everywhere I go.
My “favourite” part was the Helena substory. It seemed like you two really had a connection there. It’s unfortunate that she suffered the fate she did.
Anyway, thank you, and I can’t wait to read whatever your next title is.
She was a courageous and awesome woman. Honored to be your first Kindle purchase.
Hi Jake,
At the risk of saying the obvious,you are more Japanese than most Japanese. You are very honorable and you got balls! Tokyo vice is a remarkable book without a doubt and you are a great journalist and writer. All the very best and please continue to write about japan, it can be anything, people will continue to read your books because you get to the point very early and your English is plain and simple.
Hi Michael,
I’m honored that you’d say that and I like to keep things simple. Better a single word that gets the point across than a thousand words that say nothing.
Effective.
Single word sentences are difficult, of course. (LOL). I will continue to write about Japan for at least one more book. Best wishes to you as well.
Hey Jake!
I just finished Tokyo Vice a few minutes ago!
It’s the first book I have read in a long time besides the obligatory school stuff,
and I have loved every word of it. It really paints a good picture of the underbelly of Japan.
The things you and your family have gone through must have been rough, as well as the passing away of your friends during that period.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and I can’t wait to read your next book! I wish all the best to you and your family.
Cheers!
Arjen,
Thanks for writing in. I’m grateful that you enjoyed the book and that you finished it. It was a rough period. Today, I spent some time as a representative of the Polaris Project Japan, along with the CEO of Polari Project, visiting from Washington DC, talking with Immigration and National Police Agency officials about their efforts to curtail human trafficking and we made some suggestions which were well received. Japan has come a long way in dealing with the problem and they deserve some praise for what they’ve done so far. The official I talked with is almost legendary in his efforts to crack down on human trafficking operations in 2006-2007 and it reminded me that there are a lot of people in the Japanese government who do care about the victims and are working hard to expunge modern-day slavery. They’re hampered by jurisdictional in-fighting, and the same problems that make combatting organized crime in Japan a very difficult task.
dear jake,thanks for yr. honest thoughts and impressions on this subject. I am a bit an afficionado in terms of subcultures all around the world. Wether it is the n’dranghetta or any other shadow organisation infiltrating the countries deepest, i think it is most interesting to understand the whole,which is that no subculture can exist and rule without
the.support of politics and legal forces, therefore they are all playing the same game just in different levels….
Hello Jake,
I’m in my year exchange in Tokyo and I discovered your book because 3 or 4 of my friends in the dormitory read it before me. I would like to say a lot of things but I don’t think I will have enough space in one comment so I’ll try to be short.
I just wanted to thank you for this book which was quite interesting and moving sometimes. I did like it a lot. I was, just a little though, aware of the “darker” side of Japan but I suppose reading this book still surprised me a lot .
I wondered a lot during the reading, for example “When you see all of this, how do you feel about this country?” Of course, there is crime in USA, in France, in the whole world but I think that when you travel so far to arrive somewhere your reaction to what happen may, often be different? It’s hard for me to explain but I felt like you liked Japan so I was wondering.
So anyway, I’m not good with words, even more when it’s in English but good luck for what may happen and I was glad reading your book.
Thank you for the posting. You’ve done your homework and the more I read about post NewsCorp NGT, the more i’m horrified. I wish someone would revise the monopoly laws to break up media conglomerates.
Hi Jake,
I want to to thank you for the great book and lessons you’ve written in Tokyo Vice. Although I’m not a Reporter like you (I’m a software developer) the 3 biggest lessons I’ll remember from this book are:
1) To love what you do. With a passion. Almost obsessively.
2) Have balance in your life – between work, family, friends, partying, drinking, etc. too much of one (or many) thing(s) is bad for you.
3) Be kind to others and don’t prejudge them. As w/ Helena, I can see people’s prejudices against her bc of being a prostitute. But you were there, a good friend to her, and didn’t judge her by what she did for a living, but her values and where her heart was. Same could be said of the “last of the yakuza.”
The most moving chapter of your book was Evening Flowers…I teared up (while cutting onions at the same time) to see Hamaya’s dreams crushed, bc she had the integrity to stand up for what she believed in.
I couldn’t put this book down, esp since I’ve been to Japan a few times and know the areas you were reporting in (Shinjuku – Kabukicho, Roppongi, Odaiba [for Sekiguchi's treatment], etc.). And w/ the earthquake and tsunami that just occurred, it made it an even greater connection to Japan.
おおきに
Mikee-san
Thank you for the heart-felt letter. I’m glad that you took away some lessons from the book. It represent most of what I’ve learned in my life. I was thinking about Hamaya-san today. I read an article that said The National Police Agency was setting a goal for itself to boost the number of female officers to 10 percent of the police workforce by 2020. Currently female cops are about 6% of the total. That’s an abysmally low number. I like Japan very much but it’s still a very sexist society and very hard for people like Hamaya-san to stay in the workforce and prosper. I know two female detectives in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and they’ve had to really struggle to make detective and put up with a lot in the process. Japan is changing. I think the addition of more female police officers and detectives would have a very positive impact on what the police are doing and especially how they handles crimes against women.
I love my job. I’m very happy being an investigative journalist. This saying in attributed to Confucius, but since I can’t read Chinese, I don’t know if he really said it, but I like it very much anyway:
FInd a job that you love and you will never “work” again.
Dear Mr. Adelstein,
I just finished your book and it was gripping and very well-written. It was difficult to put down. I found it through an interview you gave on an anime podcast and am so glad to have picked it up. It was a good reminder for me that anime really doesn’t expose you to that many facets of Japanese culture and society!
I am currently a law student in the United States. Your book has sparked my interest in learning more about international anti-trafficking law. Thank you for exposing these realities; I know that it has come at some cost to you. I am anxiously awaiting your next project.
Courtney,
Thank you for going to the trouble of picking up the book. International human trafficking is a huge problem and it involves more than just the sex trade. Sarah Noorbakhsh published a very good feature on this blog about the use of the “intern” system in Japan to exploit foreign laborers, sometimes at the cost of their lives on the job. The Polaris Project and the Polaris Project Japan are two organizations doing important work in combatting human trafficking. Sometimes, we have our successes.
Good luck with law school. I turned down a chance to go to a very prestigious law school to do the US State Department sponsored human trafficking study in 2006-2007. Sometimes, I wonder, what my life would have been like if I had made a different choice. I think I made the right one, in the end.
Thank you Mr. Adelstein. I read it, loved it, was moved by it, angered and infuriated by it, impressed with it, and wish you all the best in your future work.
The first thing I told my girlfriend after reading it was “This was amazing, but I kinda don’t think he’ll ever write a book again…” Thoughts?
peep the review, on my blog no one reads. (I’m not mad about it)
Leo,
Thank for you taking the time to write in and the good wishes. I have a second book in the works and if I’m lucky in between I’m finish a short piece on the Tokyo Electric Power Company and how the firm and collusive relationships with the Japanese regulatory bodies and media allowed an incredibly tragic nuclear accident which continues to spew radiation all over the country.
I think someday, I may write a sort of sequel to Tokyo Vice but that will take a long, long time. The next book isn’t about me at all. If I’m in there at all, I’m just a minor character.