Look, reasonable people can disagree about the extent of the influence and concern about the Yakuza in Japan. Insulting folks or throwing around poorly contrived rape analogies, like in the case of jwebb, is just ridiculous.

a few months ago, early on a sunday night an old man was stabbed to death outside DSEs office in aoyama (an aoyama dori) over a dispute with yakuza over an apartment in yoyogi. the ceo of a publicly listed real estate company was arrested, together with the head of goto gumi (one of the yakuza groups who are involved with dse) – that central enough for you?

the fact that you personally are not effected doesnt make the problem any less real. are you personally effected by rape? probably not, doesnt make it any less of a crime

in relation to influence in major corporations – there are specific laws regarding sokaiya that deal with this, and yes the problem is very real. in the last few years, yakuza have been involved in physical attacks and murders on politicians, journalists, domestic and foreign businessmen

whether you personally see the critical mass or not is very clear statement concerning the depth of your understanding of japan

I’m still not seeing the Yakuza problem. They in no way have any effect over my daily life. What influence do they have over real major japanese companies (Canon, Toyota, Honda, Sony). That’s right, zero.

So maybe you are right about the fight world and perhaps that extends small time city works contracts, but I’m not seeing the “critical mass” you are talking about.

fukuoka as a region is notorisously the most heavily yakuza dominated area in japan. the police recognise that they are weak compared to the yakuza in fukuoka

so i am not surprised at all at your blaze views on the prevalenace and acceptance of yakuza when it comes from your specific experience

however, i can tell you that tokyo is not fukuoka – and rightly or wrongly, what we are talking about is all decided in tokyo – and more importantly, people in Tokyo have VERY different opinions and views on the yakuza compared to those in a small town in fukuoka

No. Yes. LOL.

It was a pure ego move by Zuffa to purchase the PRIDE assets. And it’s in their self-interest to try to prop it up, and if they get it on US cable TV, to keep further rivals off of potential networks.

Do I think Zuffa will be able to have long-term success with the ‘new’ PRIDE in Japan? No.

So elevating the sport of MMA for profit/love/legacy is not a factor? Finding out who the best fighter in the world is all lip service? At the end of the day, Dana White and Fertittas Bros spending millions of dollars, fly to Japan and give countless interviews as part of some elborate illusion to tricking people that this isn’t more than something to simply stroke their massive egos.

I know it real easy to belittle people to make yourself feel good, but the degree to which are willing to portray these fathers, business men and MMA supporters/fans as these evil corporate caricatures (aka Vince McMahon) speaks less about them and volumes about you.