Japanese pachinko money supporting North Korea

[Maciamo]

Here is a short article of the Economist summarising the economic importance of pachinko parlours in Japan.

The Economist : Pachinko - Rules of the game

Although casino-style gambling is illegal in Japan, pachinko slots are tolerated because they do not reward winners with money, but prizes (that end up being exchanged for money in back alleys). Pachinko gambling is an industry worth 30 trillion yen a year in Japan - more than the car industry ! It is similar to the status of prostitution, also officially illegal, but tolerated under the camouflaged form of soap lands and "massage" parlours. The sex industry in Japan is said to be worth even more than pachinkos.

The interesting part of the article is that it mentions that the pachinko industry is controlled mostly by Japan-born Koreans, and that part of the 30 trillion yen it generates is thought to be diverted to North Korea. I suppose that it is to support relatives, but it could as well be to keep Kim Jong Il on his feet... Ironic, isn't it ?

[nurizeko]

I have a few Pachinko coin souvoniers from my stay in Japan (I didnt play them, just found em lying about).

[Pachipro]

The interesting part of the article is that it mentions that the pachinko industry is controlled mostly by Japan-born Koreans, and that part of the 30 trillion yen it generates is thought to be diverted to North Korea. I suppose that it is to support relatives, but it could as well be to keep Kim Jong Il on his feet... Ironic, isn't it ?

Thanks for the link. And you, and the Economist, are quite right about that. Although most of the people and propriotors that I knew that worked at or ran the Pachinko parlors spoke Japanese, I never knew if they were Korean or Japanese as they all spoke Japanese. Also, I didn't want to ask them if they were Korean or Japanese. But I have heard in the past that the majority are owned by Koreans who also pay off yakuza for the privelage of operating in their town/area of control. I have no proof of this. It is just what I have heard from Japanese friends for what it's worth.

It will be interesting to see how the new rules affect the industry during my next visit in 2007. I hope it reverts back to the "old days" when it was more skill and fun.

[名無し]

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[pipokun]

The would-be feeble minority-yakuza-police complex in Japan is much worse than the infamous military-industrial complex in other country.

Anyways, this is the best thread of yours here.

[salarymanjapan]

I find it hard to believe the pachinkos are owned by "koreans". How can they know this? From government statistics?

[Pachipro]

Do a little research and you will find that the majority of Pachinko parlors are in fact owned by Koreans.