Confessions of a Yakuza by Junichi Saga is a memoir chronicling the life of Eiji Ijichi, a former Yakuza boss, through his final months. The story is told via conversations between Ijichi and his doctor, providing a firsthand glimpse into the Japanese underworld.

Born in 1916, Ijichi’s life journey takes him from rural Japan to the heart of Tokyo’s criminal scene. His experiences include involvement in gambling operations, surviving the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, serving in occupied Korea, and climbing the ranks of the Yakuza. The memoir also touches on his personal relationships and time in prison.

A key theme is Ijichi’s reflection on loyalty, honor, and the harsh realities of gang life, as well as the transient nature of power within the Yakuza. The book offers a rare, candid insight into early 20th-century Japan and the complex moral codes of its organized crime world.