Black Dragon Society
Kokuryu-kai (Amur River Society), also known as the Black Dragon Society, was a prominent paramilitary, ultra-nationalist right-wing group in Japan. It was founded in 1901, and was descended from the Dark Ocean Society. The Black Dragons were infamous for their espionage and sabotage, particularly in China and the United States in World War II. An evolution of the Genyosha group, it helped set the stage for future yakuza practices.
The collapse of the democratic government in Japan in the 1920's could possibly be attributed to the aggressive nature and government by assassination approaches practiced by these patriotic societies. Furthermore, some argue that the involvement of the Kokuryu kai was of paramount importance in leading Japan into World War II.
The "Black Dragon" is also the name of a faction of cut-throat thugs who were fictionally portrayed in the popular video game Mortal Kombat.
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