Belgium-based photographer Anton Kusters did the unthinkable and spent a few months in Japan following around certified members of the Yakuza, an organized crime alliance, and documenting their meetings and daily lifestyle.
Some of the images are grouped together and published in his book 'Odo Yakuza Tokyo.' The fact that the Yakuza allowed Anton Kusters to photograph their illegal activities is hard to comprehend, but it's all due to a man named Taka-san, the owner of a small bar, with whom Kusters developed a friendship.
Anton Kusters explains, "The Yakuza project actually quickly turned into something different than I expected, I started to feel that [the Yakuza] is a way of life more than anything else… that the Yakuza is many shades of grey, and not simple black vs white. The subtle shades are the key."
Criminal Minds Photography
Anton Kusters Photographs Members of Japanese Gang Yakuza
Trend Themes
1. Documentary Photography of Criminal Organizations - The trend of photographers gaining unprecedented access to criminal organizations opens up opportunities for disruptive innovation in storytelling and visual journalism.
2. Exploring the Complexities of Organized Crime - The trend of documenting the nuanced aspects of criminal organizations presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in societal understanding and cultural exploration.
3. Unconventional Photojournalism - The trend of photographers pushing the boundaries of traditional photojournalism by immersing themselves in dangerous and unconventional environments offers opportunities for disruptive innovation in storytelling and visual narratives.
Industry Implications
1. Publishing - The publishing industry can leverage the trend of documentary photography of criminal organizations to create compelling books and immersive storytelling experiences.
2. Media and Entertainment - The media and entertainment industry can capitalize on the trend of exploring the complexities of organized crime by creating captivating documentaries and films that delve into the psychology and motivations of criminal organizations.
3. News and Journalism - The news and journalism industry can embrace the trend of unconventional photojournalism to offer unique perspectives and immersive storytelling that captivates audiences and sheds light on untold stories.