The Czech Mint's series entitled World Gangs is a dark chronicle of organised crime. The second silver medal depicts the Japanese mafia known as the yakuza.

When, at the beginning of the 17th century, a powerful Shogun unified Japan, ending centuries of war, hundreds of warriors lost their jobs and their purpose of life. These ronin – samurai without a leader – formed gangs that roamed the countryside and terrorised innocent people. This marked the beginning of the criminal organisation known as the yakuza. However, its members disagree with this interpretation of history – on the contrary, they consider themselves the successors of noble folk warriors who resisted wandering murderers and robbers. The origins of the Japanese mafia are unclear, but its name can be easily deciphered. In the card game ojčokabu, the worst combination of cards is eight, nine and three, which are pronounced ja, ku, za. The unflattering term yakuza therefore describes something that society rejects – outlaws and outcasts. In the 18th century, these lost souls organised themselves into guilds of gamblers, smugglers, thieves and killers, but their golden age did not come until the 20th century. When Japan was defeated in World War II, its entire society collapsed and the yakuza sensed an opportunity. Organised crime syndicates quickly filled the void left by the weakened government, providing goods and services on the black market in exchange for influence and loyalty. Although the yakuza outwardly respected traditional Japanese values such as honour, family and compassion, this did not prevent it from expanding its criminal activities. Prostitution, pornography, gambling, smuggling, narcotics, extortion – all of this permeated the highest echelons of Japanese politics and far beyond the borders of the Land of the Rising Sun...

Medal designer Adam Liška, DiS., dedicated the obverse side of the medal to an idealised depiction of a yakuza member. The gangster, reminiscent of an ancient samurai, is armed with a katana casually resting on his shoulder. The depiction of a cold weapon is appropriate, as Japan has strict gun control laws. ‘The circumference of the obverse side is dotted with sakura flowers – ornamental cherry blossoms. These gradually merge into tattoos, which are typical of the yakuza,’ explains the medal's designer. The flowers are coloured for dramatic effect. The reverse side of the medal, which is common to the entire series, features cold and firearms, a skull and a globe, symbolising that organised crime is rampant throughout the world.

The Sicilian Cosa Nostra has already been featured in the crime series for collectors.