Mako Nishimura fought her way into the Japanese underworld, but drug addiction and the slow demise of organised crime gangs almost destroyed her. This is the story of the only female yakuza, known as 'the devil's child'. By Sean Williams, read by Ami Okumura Jones. Listen to the audio long read or read the text version at theguardian.com/longreadpod. Photograph by Shoko Takayasu.
The Rise of a Female Yakuza
In a world dominated by men, Mako Nishimura carved a path into the Japanese mafia. Her journey was marked by violence, loyalty, and a relentless pursuit of power. But the same underworld that embraced her also led to her downfall.
Drug Addiction and Decline
Drug addiction became her escape and her prison. As organised crime gangs in Japan slowly crumbled, so did her empire. The very structures that supported her began to disappear, leaving her vulnerable and alone.
Explore more on these topics: Japan, The Audio Long Read, Organised Crime, Asia Pacific.
