Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20100726 | It's never a smart idea to get on the bad side of the Yamagushi-gumi, Japan's largest organized crime group. But when Jake Adelstein, a student from New Jersey, decides to join Japan's largest daily newspaper as a crime reporter, it isn't long before his investigations earn him some powerful enemies. Jack Klaff reads this gritty memoir by Jake Adelstein. Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4. Jake is the first foreign reporter to get into the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Press Club. |
| 02 | 20100727 | Jake Adelstein seeks advice from a legendary crime writer on how to approach his new job on Japan's largest daily newspaper. He quickly realises that life covering the organised crime beat is likely to be anything but straightforward. Jack Klaff reads this gritty memoir by Jake Adelstein. Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4. Jake Adelstein seeks advice from a crime reporter before going out on his first assignment |
| 03 | 20100728 | Crime reporter Jake Adelstein begins to uncover the history of the Japanese mafia. He is amazed at how they seem to operate in broad daylight, and that their activities affect a broad range of businesses in the modern Japanese economy. Jack Klaff reads this revealing memoir by Jake Adelstein. Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4. To Jake Adelstein's surprise, Japanese mafia seem to operate in broad daylight. |
| 04 | 20100729 | When Jake Adelstein is summoned to a meeting with one of the bosses of the local yakuza, he is both surprised and more than a little wary. And when he arrives at the rendezvous he is astonished to be asked to help settle a delicate problem. Although he has no intention of getting involved in the boss's affairs or ever owing him a favour, he discovers there are advantages to having a yakuza in your debt. Jack Klaff reads this revealing memoir by Jake Adelstein. Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4. Crime reporter Jake Adelstein comes face to face with an organised crime boss. |
| 05 LAST | 20100730 | Reporter Jake Adelstein is invited to spend the night as a host in a Japanese night club in the red light district of Tokyo. And he discovers some surprises, not only amongst the type of customers who are willing to pay for the service in modern Japan, but the reasons these women feel the need to pay for company. Jack Klaff reads this revealing memoir by Jake Adelstein. Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall Productions for BBC Radio 4. Jake Adelstein spends an evening as a host in a nightclub in Tokyo's red light district. |