The yakuza are a Japanese organized crime group that originated in the 17th century. They are also known as gokudō, which means "the extreme path". The yakuza are primarily active in Japan, but also have a presence in other countries, including South Korea, Australia, and the United States. The yakuza are involved in a variety of activities, including illegitimate businesses and other criminal and non-criminal activities.

The Japanese police and media (by request of the police) call them bōryokudan (暴力団, "violent groups", while the yakuza call themselves ninkyō dantai (任侠団体, "chivalrous organizations", The English equivalent for the term yakuza is gangster, meaning an individual involved in a Mafia-like criminal organization.