yakuza group; chivalrous organization
Euphemistic term used by yakuza groups to describe themselves as chivalrous protectors; often self-referential. The literal meaning is 'chivalrous organization', but in practice it refers to organized crime syndicates.
He is the boss of a yakuza group.
Yakuza groups call themselves 'organizations that value honor and humanity'.
ヤクザ is the common, neutral term for Japanese organized crime syndicates or their members. 任侠団体 is a euphemistic, self-referential term used by the groups themselves to emphasize a chivalrous image.
暴力団 is the legal and media term for organized crime groups, emphasizing their violent nature. 任侠団体 is the self-styled, euphemistic counterpart.
Standard kanji spelling; 任侠 carries the chivalrous connotation.
Variant using 仁 (benevolence); less common but seen in some contexts.
Compound of 任侠 (にんきょう, 'chivalry, self-sacrificing spirit') and 団体 (だんたい, 'organization, group'). The term was adopted by yakuza groups to portray themselves as honorable protectors of the weak, in contrast to the more pejorative 暴力団.