Yakuza is a term used to refer to members of transnational organized crime syndicates originating in Japan. The yakuza are regarded as semi-legitimate organizations, and they control drug trafficking in Japan, especially. The word yakuza is commonly written in katakana (ヤクザ) . The yakuza have a hierarchical structure that mimics that of the samurai, and they both value obedience and "honor," and use violence to accomplish their goals. The yakuza are split into 21 designated crime groups, each with its own code and agenda, and it isnt uncommon for the factions to engage in gang warfare. They have been known to have ties to smuggling, drug trafficking, prostitution, gambling, and day-labor contracting. Despite their criminal activities, the yakuza style themselves as ninkyō dantai (literally "chivalrous organization") and have been known to perform charitable acts, such as donating and delivering supplies to earthquake victims during the Kōbe earthquake of 1995 and the earthquake and tsunami of 2011. The yakuza originated during the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603 - 1868) with two separate groups of outcasts, and their lineage may also be traced to bands of grifters and gamblers in Japans feudal period.