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Tokuryū (匿流) is a term coined by Japan's National Police Agency (NPA) to describe a new and growing form of loosely organized criminal groups that have emerged as an alternative to traditional yakuza organizations. The term combines the Japanese words tokumei (匿名, anonymous) and ryūdo (流動, fluid), reflecting the groups' absence of hierarchy and their flexible, anonymous operations.^[1]

These groups have gained prominence in recent years due to crackdowns that disrupted Japan's otherwise hierarchical crime syndicates. Unlike the yakuza, which follow strict codes of conduct and maintain hierarchical organizations, tokuryū are decentralized and rely heavily on digital communication to recruit members and coordinate operations.^[2]

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Tokuryū groups operate without a centralized structure or formal leadership, making them distinct from traditional yakuza syndicates. Members often do not know one another personally and are recruited for specific tasks or crimes. This lack of connection between members complicates investigations and makes these groups more elusive.^[3]

These groups typically recruit online through social media and encrypted messaging apps. Many recruits are young, including students, part-time workers and unemployed, lured by the promise of high earnings through what are often marketed as yami-baito (闇バイト, dark part-time jobs). These jobs often lead participants into criminal activities.^[4]

Tokuryū groups are involved in a wide range of illegal activities, including:

• Fraud: Scams such as impersonation fraud and phishing, often targeting vulnerable populations like the elderly.
• Drug trafficking: Smuggling and distributing illegal substances.
• Robberies and thefts: Coordinated smash-and-grab robberies, particularly targeting high-value items which include vehicles.^[5]
• Murder and assault: High-profile cases, such as contract killings, have also been linked to tokuryū.^[6]
• Ancillary offenses: Facilitating illegal activities by creating fake documents, operating underground banks, or organizing sham marriages.