Wa-pedia Home > Japan Forum & Europe Forum
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Japanese pachinko money supporting North Korea

  1. #1
    Twirling dragon Maciamo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 17, 2002
    Location
    ¼‹ž
    Posts
    2,434

    Japanese pachinko money supporting North Korea

    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 ?

    Visit Japan for free with Wa-pedia
    See what's new on the forum ?
    Eupedia : Europe Guide & Genetics
    Maciamo & Eupedia on Twitter

    "What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?", Winston Churchill.

  2. #2
    tsuyaku o tsukete kudasai nurizeko's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 19, 2005
    Location
    aberdeen, scotland
    Age
    38
    Posts
    165
    I have a few Pachinko coin souvoniers from my stay in Japan (I didnt play them, just found em lying about).

  3. #3
    JREF Resident Alien Pachipro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 19, 2005
    Location
    Goodlettsville, Tennessee
    Age
    69
    Posts
    129
    Quote Originally Posted by Maciamo
    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.
    Do What You Love And You'll Never Work Another Day In Your Life!


  4. #4
    Regular Member –¼–³‚µ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 1, 2004
    Posts
    82

  5. #5
    Regular Member
    Join Date
    Feb 4, 2005
    Posts
    189
    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.

  6. #6
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2, 2007
    Posts
    2
    I find it hard to believe the pachinkos are owned by "koreans". How can they know this? From government statistics?

  7. #7
    JREF Resident Alien Pachipro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 19, 2005
    Location
    Goodlettsville, Tennessee
    Age
    69
    Posts
    129
    Do a little research and you will find that the majority of Pachinko parlors are in fact owned by Koreans.

Similar Threads

  1. Do Japanese prefer money above all ?
    By Maciamo in forum Culture Shock
    Replies: 49
    Last Post: Oct 29, 2003, 02:34
  2. Quakes rattle Japanese north
    By Maciamo in forum Other News
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: Jul 27, 2003, 12:41

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •