Archive · 26 Oct 2025
Former Yakuza Member Mako Nishimura's Life After Crime
Mako Nishimura, once a member of Japan's yakuza, or organized crime groups, is now helping other former criminals.
As a teen, she ran away and got involved in crime, becoming one of the few women in the yakuza.
She faced challenges because of her gender, but rose through the ranks.
After leaving the yakuza once, she later rejoined.
Now, she works demolition jobs and leads a group helping ex-gangsters.
She helps them get back on their feet by organizing community activities like trash clean up, offering support to those looking for a new life, and drawing on her own experiences to guide them.
Mako Nishimura is reported to be Japan’s first woman yakuza.
She joined the yakuza at 20, navigating its patriarchal structure.
She spent three decades in and out of the yakuza before quitting.
Nishimura now supports other retired gangsters and works in demolition.
She helps ex-criminals reintegrate into society via the Gojinkai non-profit.
- Who
- Mako Nishimura, a former yakuza member
- What
- The story of her life as a woman in Japan's yakuza and her subsequent efforts to reintegrate into society
- When
- She joined the yakuza at 20, left in her late 20s, rejoined and left again around her 50s
- Where
- Gifu region of Japan
- Why
- To escape a difficult home life and later to leave behind a criminal life
- Name
- Mako Nishimura
- Age
- 58
- Former Role
- Reportedly Japan’s first woman yakuza
- Current Activities
- Supports retired gangsters, demolition work
- Organization
- Gojinkai (non-profit)
- Noteworthy
- Missing fingertip (self-punishment)