How a Former Yakuza Became a Politician in Japan | Bad Blood

As a Japanese of North Korean descent, Magomi Hashimoto or Honchi Kim was initiated into the world of the Yakuza as a child. His mother married six times, out of which five of them were Yakuza. Magomi has been in and out of prison as a Yakuza but has now decided to take a different path to run for office and fight for the rights of ethnic Koreans like him. He takes VICE World News inside his world of business, politics and online youtube fame.
For more on Honchi, check out his channel
/ @honchi0425
/ elly_precious2
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[@nybrotha_in-jpn]

He still act like a Yakuza to me, protection, girlie magazine, and a North Korean ethic guy which is amazing to see that he's a Mafia Politician but every politician is crooked anyway, so why not, maybe Japan needs a Mob boss who cares about the people

[@tomaccino]

What else can he do for a living? A lot of ex-yakuza can't even get the basics, no welfare or can't open a bank account, let alone find employment. Anyone that can retain that middle class lifestyle will surely do it.

[@NovajaPravda]

I think politician like him can rejuvenate Japanese politics

[@VolkXue]

Yakuza have always been active in right wing nationalist politics. I'd have to learn more about his political career

[@hsoloman]

"If you pay an advertisement fee to Hashimoto, any trouble can be avoided." So still a protection racket.

[@sproutsisters5398]

This guy calls it "advertising fees" which is protection money like the mafia has always done. He exploits the working class and anybody who tries to grow a company must pay him tax or he destroys them. He isn't helping anybody but himself get richer

[@rji5377]

He literally says its protection money

[@kuroazrem5376]

So basically the guy never really quit being a Yakuza but was forced out of the job because his organization dissolved, interesting.

[@jjswigger8591]

yeah good video u can tell some ppl in the back dont like this guy or dont care for vice. this was raw like old school vice. love it.

[@foodyoshii8677]

Of all the Former Yakuza, he is the only guy I've ever seen wearing an anime shirt and pants. Man of Culture.

[@rinsedninja]

Not to mention the Dior drip

[@tommo9176]

wish you guys would have focused more on his movement to politics as an indi. What is he really running off? He seems to say he's left his yakuza life behind, but then will play it up. Also if driving a bently while out of prison, running what, as he desribes is *like* a protection racket, how can he possibly promote the interests of real citizens (Japanese, Korean, Chinese, anyone of any ancestry). Again what's his platform - because far out does he seem out of touch...

[@NestlaysChaulkolateChips]

Yea, i noticed that too. I thought he was just saying "if you have trouble, come to me and I'll try to smooth things over". No, he's saying "this is my town, and pay me for protection".

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

Trivia: All the Yakuza characters in the yakuza games by SEGA were approved by real Yakuzas.

[@quaweeguy]

Seriously?

[@ahagotcha]

Wow seriously that's a cool details

[@thejapanarchocommunist]

That actually doesn't surprise me; they've done awful shit to folks that portrayed the yakuza in a bad light.

[@badfoody]

Dude That's flatout misinformation Three ex Yakuza played Yakuza 3 and said they enjoyed it. Writers didn't cozy up to actual Yakuza to get approval

[@badfoody]

@@quaweeguy no not really 3 Ex Yakuza played Yakuza 3 and enjoyed it

[@sita5178]

みかじめ料取ってるのか。話し方もそうだけど本質は変わらないなと感じた。育ってこられた環境には同情する。

[@苺の皮タイガー]

そもそもコンカフェ自体ぼったくりです

[@nino6198]

Wait isn’t his advertisement fee just a protection fee?😂wtf talking about beating the system

[@kaibotski4939]

He actually admitted it. I'm paraphrasing but he said it's like a Yakuza protection racket. I guess you also get a spot in the free magazine to advertise your business on top of his crew settling disputes for you or just not having your business roughed up.

[@zach_harrison]

Wow this earth is so diverse. It's fantastic. So much perspective(s) to gain and so many stories and worlds to follow. Wonderful documentary. Thanks Vice

[@hayek218]

No, thanks. No need for Kim's spy as a politician.

[@ClayMastah344]

Great perspective Zach

[@hayek218]

@@ClayMastah344 No, thanks. Mind your business.

[@kzrlgo]

He still works for the Yakuza... Just a new generation.

[@이순신-m3h]

There is definitely bad blood between both Korea and Japan. As a Korean myself, older Koreans view ethnic Japanese kids living in Korea negatively and Korean-Japanese kids can be seen as half-bloods although they are given full benefits as Korean citizens like voting rights, etc.... It is terrible that terrible history made kids from both sides suffer. But there is hope because of better relationships between younger generations of Koreans and Japanese and it is getting better as younger generations go. Hopefully, in the future, politically, Japan would acknowledge this terrible history and move to better its relationship with Korea as a strong Korea-Japan alliance could be a huge thing for Asian politics.

[@NestlaysChaulkolateChips]

Yes, there's definitely still issues with Japanese vs Koreans. However, I think this is a different situation. These are NOT South Koreans, they are North Koreans. Any these people are not North Koreans that are against the government and fleeing, but people that are still supportive.

[@user-dc4sm3lg1z]

There won't be any future until Japan doesn't properly pay for their war crimes. They owe that both to Koreans and Chinese.

[@user-dc4sm3lg1z]

@임하늘 Exactly why the USA doesn't want China-Japan-Koreas to be together, and is pushing these countries to the either USA or China in this ongoing conflict.

[@yomqwe]

@@NestlaysChaulkolateChips tojo their still korean at the end of the day whether they are south or north

[@sproutsisters5398]

He got the shit beat out of him, he is still yakuza.

[@Alaskan-Armadillo]

It is sad how at the end of the day he seems just like every other opportunistic politician. I know I am not Japanese but Japan needs serious change especially in regards to its relationship with Korea.

[@kiryuchansboyfriend]

This guy is basically the Japanese version of Thomas Shelby and I'm all here for it

[@ignorantrempit]

This man decides to call his new criminal organisation an "advertising agency" and considers that him leaving the gangster world lmao. And yet, he's a far more progressive option than any of the old Japanese men in Japanese politics.

[@bborbbor5792]

He’s full of shit for sure

[@churrothiev8387]

Doubt it very much. I won't brand him progressive. But, thugs maybe, he still has a mentality that women are profitable objects. You don't know enough about Japanese politics to voice opinions. There are 40s yr old politicians with progressive mindsets stepping in nowadays. It will be a matter of time that they climb to the top. With Japanese culture you have to be patient, they are conversative

[@ahagotcha]

The irony is laughable he is from a criminal background but have much more progressive thinking than in those in politics

[@ignorantrempit]

@@notknown1 British English. Always funny when Americans or Americanised folks try to correct British spelling.

[@ahagotcha]

@@notknown1 you know I will rather take someone who is actually looking after what is needed to be done

[@Meg13Crossheart]

so, from my understanding, his policies are mainly about the betterment of life for ethnic koreans in japan? but this video mostly shows his background as a former yakuza? what are his ideas for that 'betterment of ethnic koreans in japan' bit? has he created something, maybe like a charity or anything that can further this idea? i got nothing of that from the video

[@sproutsisters5398]

He made beating off easier for men and oppressed japanese women lol.

[@yojichan]

This was indeed fascinating. I've recently watched him in a previous documentary but having watched this, it all makes sense now. I think this guy found a way to make the Yakuza relevant again while finding loopholes in the system. He's found a way to legitimize his rackets. He claims to have left the Yakuza and it's a true statement in the sense he no longer subscribe to the old ways. He's trying to reinvent his world but remains a creature of comfort. I think him advocating fair Korean rights in Japan is valid but this documentary didn't cover that aspect deeply, or what exactly makes him different from all the other politicians because making a bold claim about talking to all 120M citizens was quite iffy. 😅

[@davidchi]

No wonder democracy doesn't work. Look at all the people in the comments who buy this guy's BS hook, line and sinker. He "works for the common man" but drives around a Bentley? He runs something "like a protection racket"? hint: It IS actually a protection racket. Finally he has "left the Yakuza life behind", yet he can't help but incessantly talk about his Yakuza life to everyone on KZbin, on the streets, running his "business" (read: Yakuza protection racket). If you buy his crap, then I've got a bridge to sell you.

[@-alif7188]

So true

[@user-dc4sm3lg1z]

People are just dumb, that's all.

[@quietstorm_fm]

koreans struggled a lot.. people need to do some research into the history if they want to understand his perspective. also in japan, life as a foreigner especially with a korean or a chinese name is conditional.. many koreans are still discriminated by the system..

[@budgetking2591]

koreans still struggling every day specially north koreans

[@hayek218]

For what they did, they deserve it.

[@USSSfr33d0m]

I don't think so. Maybe in Tokyo but where I live nothing like that ever happen to me or my surrounded people.

[@drk9148]

Same goes for Koreans looking down on Japanese. Correct way to say is both sides suffered equally.

[@NestlaysChaulkolateChips]

Yea, but these people are North Koreans. And these aren't North Koreans that are fleeing or against the North Korean government. Even South Koreans can't trust North Koreans, how are completely different people supposed to be expected to do that.

[@kaibotski4939]

I'm an ordinary citizen Drives a Vellfire and a Bentley. He sells "advertisment" that settles "disputes". He even said himself it's like a protection racket but I guess you get a spot in the free magazine as a bonus? I want to an ordinary citizen too if being one means getting a Bentley and got money to start "businesses" right out of prison.

[@shinodamasaru7945]

Sounds like majima from Yakuza 0

[@geomukkath5373]

In India this is the normal route to become a politician.

Politicians are just legal criminal anyways. Hope he achieves good things.

[@mikeymcflyhd]

This is literally Kasuga Ichiban

[@MyrmidonOP]

As a fellow ex-convict, i understand the way normal people saying this and that about yakuza/mafia/gangster/criminal. People can change but not all people can change I'll say, give him a chance. You all know most politician is all talk, and hide behind laws Me? an ex-convict that doing legal business, paying tax and become family bread maaker after get out from prison

[@mr.x5644]

that magic trick tho

[@EmptyHand49]

Masato Arakawa becoming Ryo Aoki

[@倒福菊ミン]

翻訳し易い様にゆっくり話してんの優しい

[@hugenerretho9151]

in order to eradicate any mafia, Poverty must be solved first as most of supply to mafia come from financial instability For their business such as prostitution and drug, demand will not disappear so either gov or private org must run it

[@facebooksmith1269]

At the time his ancestors came to Japan, there was no concept of North or South Korea. And thousands of Koreans (not North or South - just Koreans) were forced to come to Japan. So they suffer the same fate that Black people endured in America. In short, Koreans in Japan are not immigrants. They're like Black people in America.

[@amarbinay6654]

They have separate school for North Korean tho

[@1412Bunny]

@@amarbinay6654 after the liberation of korea it honestly made sense for people to align themselves with north korea. it was wealthier than the south for decades and the south was also ruled by a series of right-wing strongmen...

[@amarbinay6654]

@@1412Bunny don't anything about them explain me

[@facebooksmith1269]

@@amarbinay6654 When Korea was divided, Koreans had to choose between North and South. Many Koreans in Japan aligned themselves with North for many reasons. Maybe their hometown was in the northern region. Or they thought North Korea being richer and more advanced at the time, wanted to be associated with them. But they never actually knew "North Korea" after it was divided. When they or their parents lived in Korea, it was just "Korea" or Japan (under the occupation) So to say that they're the "descendants" of North Korea doesn't make sense. But the main point is that Koreans in Japan are not immigrants. Very few went to Japan by "choice". It's no different than Black people in America. Black people are not immigrants. So just like America owes Black people for mistreatment, taking them away from their country ..., Japan owes Korean.

[@Japonicasian]

@@facebooksmith1269 Large number of Korean immigrate to Japan during and after Korean war. And they didn't want to return to North Korea because of the political situation in North Korea.

[@solohhbb9468]

a lot of people especially outside of east asia dont know how close of a history korea and japan share even before the annexation period.

[@hayek218]

Not much.

[@solohhbb9468]

@@hayek218 all they know is japan and korea hate each other. which is better kpop or jpop. anime rules. no, kdrama. just the modern stuff

[@Khattooo]

The fact he can sit in seiza* wearing a suit *Correct me if im wrong

[@hsoloman]

What's difficult about that?

[@adil5331]

This is the most communist guy in the capitalist yakuza society

[@s0urce.ow0]

I was thinking the same thing. Like a lot of the Yakuza back right wing politicians and this guy's just out here talking about the struggle of the common man. I like him he'd have my vote if I were able to.

[@antonioc7186]

This is a nice perspective, good video.

[@hayek218]

No thank you. Mind your business, please.

[@joeru-ej7ic]

Thank you vice, this was badass.

[@hayek218]

No thank you. Mind your business, please.

[@queenraneea1025]

@@hayek218 No thank you. Mind your business, please.

[@hayek218]

@@queenraneea1025 troll

[@sproutsisters5398]

It tells me everything when his mother wants nothing to do with him

[@xoxoria]

So he’s still a crook. Well great job in choosing your politicians, Japan.

[@kirstbarcy6204]

“Taran!” Shows a missing pinky finger.

[@ArtieStrongManMusic]

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

[@nosut7996]

いや、迷惑です

[@おいす-s4y]

ただのチンケなチンピラじゃん笑

[@abcd123zyw]

初っ端から漢さん登場とか熱すぎる🥰

[@sobut3327]

選挙にはマイナスイメージやろ

[@peacenotwar9267]

He's fucking motivated that is enough and hardworking

[@tankeryy1566]

didn't know that the yakuza are still active.

[@r.h.f.6073]

what a fascinating guy

[@Botchulism_asdf]

He literally acts like the main character from a gangster movie...

[@chappiescollectables]

like a dragon in IRL

[@Abell_lledA]

Narrative of Self is the result of a feedback loop between “Separate Self” & Cosmos🎈

[@tobypark2045]

This guy's beyond badass

[@j3llyf15h4]

In the intro this guys looks a lot like Kisaki

[@ky9083]

ホンチさんのルーツは過酷。

[@Old299dfk]

10:45 - i was not expecting that.

[@harukabh1590]

彼は美しい声を持っています

[@nyomanyogaiswara8072]

wow what an amazing advertising company huh? you pay ads and get protection as the bonus hehe

[@hana0106]

なんだよ。まんまヤクザじゃねーか。

[@ardtob]

I wouldn't say he is north korean. He is japanese. He has korean blood, but 100% japanese.

[@KKANG-jo4rh]

JAPANESE CAME FROM THE CHINESE TOO.

[@DUNA1100]

Pachinko

[@porothashawarma2339]

Yes by culture but the Japanese are big on that sort of blood purity thing . Both your parents need to be full Japanese to be considered a full Japanese. That’s the whole point reason behind the concept of a ‘Hafu’ existing

[@Ok-oo2kh]

@@porothashawarma2339 japanese people are mixed : koreans , chinese , jomon and ainu, thats why somes japanese looks 100% caucasian ,example :hayato tani, hideki go , ken hirai

[@Ok-oo2kh]

They look caucasian but they are pure japanese

[@amabile_forte]

芸術作品です👏⭐︎

[@thepunisher2988]

OTSUKARESAMA DESUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Sunny24359]

Anyone have any idea how his magic trick worked? Trying to learn it myself.

[@MrAgmoore]

Yeah I learned it from my uncle in the early 1980’s. On your left hand, fold the thumb 90 degrees down, towards the palm. This makes the thumb look severed and the 4 finger palm hides the tip of the thumb. Then take the right thumb, fold it down and connect it to the pretend severed thumb on the left hand. Wrap the index finger on your right hand to somewhat conceal the join. When you do the slide, everyone will fixate on the disconnected thumb, rather than the join - that’s the misdirection.

[@yurayura09418]

ただのチンピラかよ。

[@AlbertKimMusic]

a north korean yakuza WTH LMFAO

[@MS-xu5vx]

Koreans have been in Yakuza gangs before Korea was split into North & South.

[@AlbertKimMusic]

@@MS-xu5vxcompletely forgot majority of the zainichi koreans were from the north

[@MS-xu5vx]

@@AlbertKimMusic yea that too.

[@dirtgreylbcprominentrvskvl2338]

do u like what imitation crab taste like? taste like it sounds- imitation

[@bluedogpinkcatt]

Thankful my country didn’t admit this concept💀

[@gungasc]

maid outfits, think Hooters in America, but with the 80's Mafia involved.

[@TrueFacts-sf4it]

Honchi, You have my vote my friend.

[@ephoenix7]

Subtitles are too small to read on a smartphone

[@NovajaPravda]

Interesting that even though Yakuza tend to associate themselves with far-right politics, he seems to be running his campaign as an left wing libertarian progressive, almost an anarchist. He is mostly trying to gather support from the bottom of the society. Personally I think Japan is not ready for this and he should be running a more moderate platform. His upbringing is actually quite Nazbol, North Korean School and Yakuza family. So his platform seems to almost be some sort of rebellion against his up brining.

[@NovajaPravda]

Honestly the only way I can see him becoming a politician is if Japan somehow get a prime minister who follows the Frankfrut school of Marxism, so they put him in some governmental position in Japan. But as you can see from the case of Biden, while they like to put people of the oppressed identity, they also want people who are highly-educated and skilled. I would recommend him to go to university and study politics related subject. So that he can address to the public with academic knowledge about law and politics. I do like him though, so if this really happened. If he performs exceptionally well in the government and gained substantial public support, he might get to be prime minister through that path.

[@maccaROK]

Does anyone have the link to his KZbin channel?

[@teteiyus5762]

Check out the description box. His channel is all in japanese though

[@maccaROK]

@@teteiyus5762 ありがとう。後で勉強してる

[@harri8157]

When you describe someone as North Korean, it gives the impression that they are actually from North Korea...

[@amarbinay6654]

Yes they r

[@dexto6129]

母親の環境が原因で 彼を非行に走らせたのでしょうか 頑張って下さい。

[@kunten07]

I am watching Tokyo vice !

[@arnoldp8962]

Goro Majima @17:07

[@yumirocks]

Awesome ! I think this guy can make some real progressive changes in Japan, especially representing the oppressed population. Japanese people need to embrace a new future and open themselves to new possibilities. He seems like the kind of man who will keep committed to his promises.

[@hayek218]

No thank you. Mind your business, please.

[@yumirocks]

@@hayek218 You mind your own business.....freakin troll

[@Bayreuth1943]

Goddamn No. Don’t trust the mojo politicians. If reigned by them, Japan will become another Russia. Those maid girls are actually in fear of the former yakuza. Politicians in Japan should be stakeholders of “Old Principles”.

[@jenshoefer7944]

By extorting small business owners? This guy is still a thug and should be behind bars. He is zero added value to the society

[@bye2107]

Why did he talk about taking clothes off with that cosplayer and also looked under her skirt? Wtf was that

[@suselperez2409]

bc hes an upstanding member of society, absolute gentleman

[@MrAgmoore]

Have you never watched Japanese porn?

[@stevendugandzic4347]

Changing the mindset of Japanese is an uphill battle racism is rife,this is a great video raw lije the old Vice,he said he wishes he wasn't born I say no,you were meant to,we all have a purpose,I saw crazy Yakuza times back in 86'-89',the young nan is right,Japanese don't like gaijin

[@podmaneliction9744]

Beatboxしてんちゃうぞー😅

[@yarekoktm226]

こんばんは🌆見入ってしまい、あっという間に終わってしまいました❗️続編お願い致します🤲

[@RRLP007]

Kesaki tetaaa

[@rsinari47]

Long story short he's trying to become a politician for his own benefits, when he said advertising fees you know this dude is crap well he wants people to give tax money to him

[@快楽天自由意志]

いきなりボコボコになってんじゃん

[@angelseok8034]

omg he looks like woozi

[@PirateRadioPodcasts]

Meh. Government & organized crime: BIRDS OF A FEATHER.

[@maltakahashi6357]

ホンチさん初めてまして😊 ホンチさんの生い立ちの動画拝見させて頂きました🙏🌿 人の倍以上、色々ご苦労なさったと思いますが私は本当にホンチさんの生き様、尊敬してます🙏🌿 どんな国籍であろうと同じ人間には変わりはないと思います✊‼️ 自分がそんな風に差別されたら悲しいし、辛すぎると思います✊‼️ ホンチさんみたいな人に政治家になって欲しいです🙏💕 お身体に気をつけて頑張って下さい😊‼️ 陰ながら応援しております🙏🌿

[@unobooks]

this is a bad man

[@samutany]

15:57 稲川会はsecondじゃなくてthirdだな。

[@MA-bu3uu]

How accurate is this? Last time y’all did yakuza stuff it was all BS and easily disproven by Japanese citizens with access to a newspaper and the internet.

[@wendyshoowaiching4161]

If I am Japanese, I will vote you. HaHaHa

[@AlbertKimMusic]

anyone know the song at 7:20 ??

[@andyryooable]

According to Shazam - Magic by Captain Funk.

[@bkazz8116]

いいなこの人。

[@nishidahareo]

自分は彼を尊敬しますよ。日本人は外国人には優しいですよ！！　同じアジア人以外にはね…

[@wanwansamurai]

Koreans don't need anything. Chinese don't either.

[@brandonlal3643]

What’s mans KZbin?

[@africankungfunazis920]

kzbin.info/door/nc9qHPhS0VC-cpK_sEIPsA

[@ericlin7023]

This guy needs help, like for real.

[@Sicksporty72]

ホンチさん！

[@KazumaIshinpabu]

Can I join Yakuza as a American

[@モヨサヨフ]

3:44 Aya Eikura?

[@Whoisthistalking]

Seongjun Baek How to Fight?

[@ましろまなき]

fake yakuza

[@youtubeaccount5833]

Well, in reality, most of their ancestors have been proven to be fraudulent immigrants. There are a large number of Koreans who illegally entered the country during the war.

[@OblivionZXZ]

And it's totally okay because of what Japan did to them during WW2.