Organized Crime on the Hanshin Expressway

Summary

Away Days Podcast: Reporting from the Underbelly
Episode: Organized Crime on the Hanshin Expressway
Release Date: August 4, 2025
Host: Jake Hanrahan
Producer: H11 Studio and Cool Zone Media Osaka

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Introduction

In this gripping episode, Jake Hanrahan delves deep into the clandestine world of Osaka's street racing scene, uncovering the intricate connections between illegal racing enthusiasts and organized crime. Through immersive storytelling and firsthand accounts, Hanrahan paints a vivid picture of the underground culture that thrives beneath the neon-lit streets of Japan.

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Meeting the Kanjo Racing Crew

Timestamp: [02:07]

Jake begins his journey in a bustling blue-collar district of Osaka, setting the stage with vibrant descriptions of the night scene—street stalls, family restaurants, and the constant hum of daily life. His mission: to negotiate access to film a large-scale multi-car Civic race on the Kanjo Loop.

Notable Quote:
"You can't understand the culture behind all of this properly if you don't see it firsthand." — Jake Hanrahan [02:07]

Upon arriving at a Korean restaurant arranged by the Kanjo crew, Jake and his team meet the group's leader— a towering figure with a formidable presence—and his mechanically inclined second-in-command. The initial meeting underscores the importance of cultural etiquette, particularly the Japanese tradition of gift-giving.

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Cultural Insights: The Art of Gift-Giving in Japan

Timestamp: [05:30]

Jake emphasizes the significance of gift-giving in Japanese culture, explaining that it's more than just an exchange of items—it’s a ritual that conveys respect and gratitude. He meticulously describes the proper way to present a gift, highlighting the artful wrapping and the modesty expected in such exchanges.

Notable Quote:
"Japanese gifting isn't about the object. It's about maintaining balance, recognizing relationships, and expressing thoughtfulness in a way that keeps the social fabric smooth and intact." — Jake Hanrahan [06:15]

Armed with this knowledge, Jake gifts the crew with copies of Max Power Magazine, a nostalgic nod to his British roots and its influence on car culture.

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Rejection and Revelation: Unveiling Yakuza Ties

Timestamp: [09:50]

The tension peaks when Jake presents the magazines. Contrary to his expectations, the gifts are dismissed nonchalantly, sparking confusion. This moment reveals deeper layers of the crew’s affiliations.

Notable Quote:
"Suddenly it doesn't feel like the good idea it did when I was back home." — Jake Hanrahan [11:00]

Jake's revelation that the boss and his crew bear traditional irezumi tattoos—a hallmark of Yakuza membership—unveils the crew's organized crime connections. The display of tattoos, typically associated with criminality in Japan, signifies the crew's deep-seated ties to the underworld.

Notable Quote:
"Tattoos in Japan are seen very differently to how they are in the West. Historically, they've been associated with criminality, particularly the Yakuza." — Jake Hanrahan [12:30]

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The Arrest: A Sudden Turn of Events

Timestamp: [16:05]

Just as trust begins to build, news breaks that the crew leader has been arrested on weapons charges. Jake reflects on Japan's stringent firearm laws and the improbability of illegal gun possession, especially among organized crime groups like the Yakuza.

Notable Quote:
"If you're caught in possession of an illegal firearm in Japan, to put it bluntly, you are fucked. Potentially looking at 10 years in prison." — Jake Hanrahan [18:20]

The arrest not only halts Jake's initial plans but also exposes the precarious balance between illegal street racing and organized crime in Osaka.

---

Transition to Touge Racing: Exploring a Different Underculture

Timestamp: [20:45]

Undeterred by the setback, Jake shifts focus to Touge Racing, an alternative underground racing scene centered around Japan's mountainous passes. Unlike the fast-paced Kanjo races, Touge emphasizes precision, rhythm, and harmony between driver and machine.

Notable Quote:
"Touge is a dance between man, machine, and nature." — Jake Hanrahan [22:10]

Jake provides a comprehensive overview of Touge, detailing the differences between Grip Drivers and Drifters within the scene. Grip Drivers focus on maintaining maximum traction and precision, while Drifters prioritize style and controlled chaos.

---

Understanding the Risks and Code of Conduct

Timestamp: [25:00]

The episode delves into the inherent dangers of Touge Racing. With treacherous mountain roads and the ever-present risk of fatal crashes, participants adhere to a strict code of conduct to minimize hazards. This includes rules against racing in inclement weather, avoiding civilian endangerment, and maintaining respect for the mountain terrain.

Notable Quote:
"With Touge, the roads are never really uniform. You can't exactly get used to the feel of the road like you can with Kanjo." — Jake Hanrahan [26:30]

Jake underscores that Touge Racing is not merely about speed but about mastering the art of navigating Japan's spine with skill and respect.

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Meeting the Hardcore Touge Racers

Timestamp: [30:15]

Jake's pursuit leads him to a remote garage on the outskirts of Osaka, where he encounters a new group of Touge racers. This group is characterized by their dedication, with meticulously maintained Honda Civics and a disciplined approach to racing.

Notable Quote:
"These cars are nothing like the quarter-mile drag racing machines you might see in places like America. The Japanese counterparts are light, nimble, and built for twisting roads." — Jake Hanrahan [32:00]

The introduction of this new crew signifies a continuation of Osaka's rich street racing heritage, now intertwined with a more refined and less overtly criminal faction.

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Conclusion: The Dual Faces of Osaka's Street Racing

Throughout the episode, Jake Hanrahan masterfully contrasts the high-stakes, crime-linked Kanjo racing with the more disciplined and skill-focused Touge scene. This duality highlights the complex layers of Osaka's underground racing culture, where passion for cars intersects with the shadows of organized crime.

Notable Quote:
"It seems unlikely that he [the boss] suddenly got cold feet, as if we'd inform on him or something. But here we are." — Jake Hanrahan [19:45]

Jake leaves listeners contemplating the fragile boundaries between legality and illegality within subcultures, and the personal risks individuals take to pursue their passions.

---

Production Credits

• Reporting, Producing, Writing, Editing, and Research: Jake Hanrahan
• Co-Producing: Sophie Lichterman
• Music: Sam Black
• Sound Mix: Splicing Block
• Photography: Johnny Pickup and Louis Hollis
• Graphic Design: Laura Adamson and Casey Highfield
• Production Companies: H11 Studio and Cool Zone Media Osaka

Watch the full documentary: YouTube.com/@awaydaystv

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This episode of Away Days Podcast offers a raw and unfiltered look into the underbelly of Osaka's street racing scene, blending cultural insights with the gritty realities of organized crime involvement. Through Jake Hanrahan's investigative reporting, listeners gain an in-depth understanding of the motivations, traditions, and dangers that define this underground world.

Transcript

[iHeart Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Now through August 26th, it's back to Deals time where you can enjoy storewide deals and earn four times points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from Hershey's, Cheez It, Kellogg's, Gatorade, Smart Water, Skinny Pop, Alberto Zoa and Activia. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Shop in store or online for easy drive up and go pick up or delivery subject to availability restrictions apply. Visit Alber or Safeway.com for more details.

[Stuff You Should Know Host]

The stuff you should Know Guys have made their own summer playlists of their must listen podcasts on movies it's me.

[Josh Clark]

Josh and I'd like to welcome you to the Stuff youf Should Know Summer Movie Playlist. What screams summer more than a nice darkened air conditioned theater and a great movie playing right in front of you?

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Episodes on James Bond, special effects, stunt men and women, disaster films, even movies that change filmmaking and many more. Listen to the Stuff youf Should Know Summer Movie Playlist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcast.

[Bob Crawford]

I'm Bob Crawford, host of American History Hotline, a different type of podcast. You, the listener, ask the questions.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Did George Washington really cut down a cherry tree?

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Were JFK and Marilyn Monroe having an affair?

[Bob Crawford]

And I find the answers. I am so glad you asked me this question.

[iHeart Podcast Host]

This is such a ridiculous story.

[Bob Crawford]

You can listen to American History Hotline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Hinojosa]

When I became a journalist, I was the first Latina in the newsrooms where I worked. I'm Maria Hinojosa. I spent my career creating journalism that centers voices who have been historically sidelined. From the most pressing news stories to deep cultural explorations, Latino USA is journalism with Hart. Listen to Latino usa, the longest running Latino news and culture show in the United States. Hear it on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Corezone Media. You're listening to the Away Days Podcast on the Ground Outside, reporting from the underbelly with me, Jake Hanrahan. To watch Away Days documentaries, go to YouTube.com waydaystv this is part 3. Speed Tribes 25 Episode 2. This podcast is a production of H11 Studio and Cool Zone Media Osaka. At night, the city is lit up like an LED Christmas tree. Small street stalls and larger family restaurants keep each side street and back alley busy. The sound of drinking Conversation and cash registers at every corner. There's something to spend money on if you want to. Vending machines, hole in the wall, bars and red light private clubs. Large halogen bulbs light up garish advertisements on every square foot of free space. We're in a blue collar district where no one takes card and everyone is sick of the inflation. I'm on my way to meet with the head of a Kanjo racing crew to negotiate access. I want to film a real multi car civic race on the loop. Not just a few here and there. A proper race. I've been told one is planned soon and I want in. You can't understand the culture behind all of this properly if you don't see it firsthand. I don't think so. Anyway. Yes, I get it. It's dangerous. But it is what it is. We get to the location. This is where the Kanjo crew told us to meet. And with two guys from my team and John, who's still helping us negotiate this clandestine world of illegal street racing. The location is a really cool independent Korean restaurant. It's busy, cluttered, perfect. Just as we get to a table, the Kanjo crew arrives. Now I can't go into too many details due to various legalities, but it's a small crew of four or five people. The bossman stands out for his size. He's about 6 foot 2 and built like a brick shithouse. An unusual frame in downtown Osaka. His number two is a skinny, chain smoking mechanic with greasy hair and a crooked smile. The others are quiet and unassuming. Everyone is dressed in an assortment of trendy Japanese streetwear. The bossman greets us with a firm handshake and we exchange pleasantries. I'm eager to give him the present I bought him. In Japan, bringing gifts for people is an important tradition. It's rooted in the country's strong etiquette culture. It's not just about giving a present. It's kind of a ritual. It shows respect, gratitude and the careful maintenance of relationships. Presentation is key. Wrapping is considered almost as important as the gift itself. I wish I had known that. There's apparently an art to it. Handing over a nicely wrapped box with both hands and a bow tied on top shows proper etiquette. When visiting someone's home, bringing a small gift is standard, even if it's just snacks or a souvenir from your hometown. And when someone gives you a gift, you're generally expected to return the favor later. Sometimes with a returned gift known as okashi, often worth half the value of the original present. There are unspoken rules to this. Importantly, gifts are usually given modestly. You don't open them in front of the giver unless invited to. Doing so might be seen as greedy. Lavish gifts can make people feel uncomfortable or feel obliged, so everyone keeps it simple. Now, Japanese gifting isn't about the object. It's about maintaining balance, recognizing relationships and expressing thoughtfulness in a way that keeps the social fabric smooth and intact. Now, with all this in mind, my contact in Japan told me to bring some gifts before we arrived. Obviously I want to respect the customs of the country. Generally I do that anyway if I'm going somewhere. It's been taught to me in my family, you bring gifts to new people that you meet. That's just how it is. Obviously I was not going to turn up empty handed, so I asked the contact, what the hell do I bring as a gift to illegal street racing petrol heads in the gritty suburbs of Osaka? His response? Max Power Magazine. I laughed, but he was serious. It's the perfect gift for a Brit to bring if you're interested in Kanjo zoku, he told me. Growing up, I remember seeing Max Power on the shelves of every news agent in Britain. It was a monthly car magazine launched in May 1993. Max Power quickly became the go to publication for what was then a rapidly growing boy racer culture in the UK. At peak circulation around 240,000 copies of Max Power was sold every single month. In its early years, maxpower showcased modifications such as engine swaps, body kits and huge wheel conversions, not too far from what the Kanjo racers here in Osaka get up to now. And like the modded Civics themselves, the visual aesthetic of Max Power was very much in your face. I wasn't remotely interested in cars back then when it was on sale in the uk, but the magazine's style would always catch my eye. I remember it, but I think probably everybody else does. What made Max Power unique was its indulgence in car culture controversy. The magazine would often have coverage of illegal cruise events and public burnouts. This drew criticism from police and safety advocates, but it also sealed the magazine's notoriety in the underground. Despite the haters, Max Power played an outsized role in shaping a community and industry. Tuning shops, aftermarket suppliers, custom shows, the lot. Reflecting on its cultural legacy, the former Max Power editor described this era as a uniquely vibrant British car subculture. It wasn't just about horsepower. It was about mass individuality, DIY creativity and youthful defiance. Now, surely that rings a bell. The Max Power aligned world of British Car culture mirrored some aspects of Japan's Kanjozoku. John tells me that racers would even import the magazine in English even if they couldn't read the articles. So he advised me to bring over a stack of old Max Power issues. I got a load off ebay for about 30 quid and stuffed them into my suitcase. Now here I am in Osaka with them all, sat in a plastic carrier bag as a gift for what is the boss of a notorious Kanjo crew in Japan. Suddenly it doesn't feel like the good idea it did when I was back home. Either way, once we're all seated, I hand the stack of magazines over and we explain the gift. The boss man holds them in his hands, briefly looks at the first issue on the pile and hands them off to his chain smoking sidekick. He doesn't even look at them. Neither of them are remotely interested. I look at John like what the fuck? John shrugs at me and orders a round of pints for the table. I can't go into exactly what was said at this meeting, but we all eventually get chatting about Kanjo. I explain what we're trying to do with the Aware Days project and the boss man likes it a lot. After he gets a little more comfortable, he makes a comment about some visible tattoos me and one of my guys have on our arms. He says he likes them. He grins. This is a bit unusual, as tattoos in Japan are seen very differently to how they are in the West. Here in Japan, there's a complicated and often negative stigma attached to them. Historically, they've been associated with criminality, particularly the Yakuza, Japan's most notorious organized crime syndicate. Full body tattoos called irezumi were used by Yakuza gang members as a sign of loyalty and defiance, making them a visual marker of the underworld. Because of this, many public places like bath houses, swimming pools and even weights gyms still ban visible tattoos to this day. The perception is gradually shifting, but there is still very much an uneasiness about people with tattoos in Japanese culture. So considering the boss man's comment about our tattoos, I ask him if he has any. Honestly, I'm half joking when I say this, but he nods, looks me right in the eye and rolls up both of his sleeves. Traditional irezumi tattoos completely cover his arms. Yakuza. Suddenly, the secrecy of some of this scene begins to take on another purpose. I get it. Some level of organized crime is involved with some of these teams. Not all of them, not the majority, but it's there. The boss man's friends suddenly feel like a bit of an entourage. None of them even blink when he pulls out the tats. My guess is they all have something similar. Wow. Nice, I say. The boss man grins again, pulls down his sleeves and orders Korean barbecue for all of us. He loosens up and after we eat, for some reason, he pulls out a little tool he has attached to a set of his keys and fiddles with it for ages. It's a small but sharp spring loaded metal spike, like a flick knife, but it's a spike, not a blade. It's hardly a massively serious weapon, but if you stuck it in your neck, I dare say you'd know about it. Seems an unusual thing just to whip out at the table, but what do I know? At the end of the night, we're all getting on great and the boss man takes us to see his car. I can't even tell you what it is specifically to protect his identity, but it is a very, very nice and very unique Honda Civic. Let's just say that he agrees that we'll join him and his crew on the Kanjo Loop late one night this week. Perfect. He even gives us a gift. He takes his little stabber off his keys and hands it to one of our team Max Power magazines for a little keyring stabber Yakuza weapon. Not a bad exchange at all.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Now through August 26th, it's back to Deals time where you can enjoy storewide deals and earn four times points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from Hershey's, Cheez It, Kellogg's, Gatorade, Smart Water, Skinny Pop, Oberto, Zoa and Activia. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Shop in store or online for easy drive up and go, pickup or delivery subject to availability restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Stuff You Should Know Host]

The stuff you should Know Guys have made their own summer playlists of their must listen podcasts on movies.

[Josh Clark]

It's me, Josh and I'd like to welcome you to the Stuff youf Should Know Summer Movie Playlist. What screams summer more than a nice darkened air conditioned theater and a great movie playing right in front of you.

[Stuff You Should Know Host]

Episodes on James Bond, special effects, stunt men and women, disaster films, even movies that change filmmaking and many more. Listen to the Stuff youf Should Know Summer Movie Playlist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Bob Crawford]

American history is full of wise people.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Walt woman said something like you know 99.99% of war is diarrhea is gory. Those founding fathers were gossipy af and they loved to cut each other down.

[Bob Crawford]

I'm Bob Crawford, host of American History Hotline, the show where you send us your questions about American history. And I find the answers, including the nuggets of wisdom our history has to offer. Hamilton pauses and then he says, the.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Greatest man that ever lived was Julius Caesar.

[Bob Crawford]

And Jefferson writes in his diary, this.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Proves that Hamilton is for a dictator based on corruption.

[Josh Clark]

My favorite line was what Neil Armstrong said.

[Jake Hanrahan]

It would have been harder to fake it than to do it.

[Bob Crawford]

Listen to American History Hotline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The summer of 1993 was one of the best of my life. I'm journalist Jeff Pearlman and this is Rick Jervis.

[Josh Clark]

We were interns at the Nashville Tennesse Inn. But the most unforgettable part, our roommate, Reggie Payne from Oakland, sports editor and.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Aspiring rapper and his stage name, Sexy Sweat.

[Bob Crawford]

In 2020, I had a simple idea. Let's find Reggie.

[Josh Clark]

We searched everywhere, but Reggie was gone. In February 2020, Reggie was having a diabetic episode. His mom called 911. Police cuffed him face down. He slipped into a coma and died.

[Jake Hanrahan]

I'm like thanking you, but then I.

[Maria Hinojosa]

See my son's not moving.

[Bob Crawford]

No headlines, no outrage, just silence.

[Josh Clark]

So we started digging and uncovered city officials bent on protecting their own.

[Bob Crawford]

Listen to finding Sexy Sweat on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jake Hanrahan]

A few days pass and we've heard absolutely nothing from the boss man. Honestly, I'm gutted. He seemed completely genuine about the access and rapport we'd built with them. None of us really gave a that he's Yakuza. The whole world runs on crime after all. Some of it's just legal because governments do it. It seems unlikely that he suddenly got cold feet, as if we'd inform on him or something. But here we are. And so we take up the famous journalist pastime of waiting around. We spend the day enjoying Osaka. We rented a tiny house in an area we're told is quote unquote, kind of the hood. It doesn't feel like that though. The streets are clean, everyone is nice, and crime is largely non existent. People don't even chain their push bikes up here. Each day we go to this little family run cafe near the house and we order eggs on toast and black coffee. The family there get used to us and we communicate through Google Translate. Tinny MIDI style music plays in the background from tape. Every space on the wall is covered with something unique and homely. It's one of the calmest places I think I've ever been to in my entire life. I love it here in the cafe in the Nishinari Ward. It is the total opposite of the high octane madness of the Osaka street racers. The next day there's news. There's a reason the boss man we met with recently has ghosted us. He's been arrested. Nothing to do with racing though, from what we're told at least. He was taken in on weapons charges. Not because of his spring loaded spike, but apparently firearms. In Japan, that is a very big deal. Illegal guns in Japan are exceptionally rare. The country has some of the strictest firearm laws in the world and as a result, gun crime is almost non existent. In an average year, the number of shootings across the entire country can usually be counted on one hand. Most Japanese citizens will go their entire lives without ever even seeing a real firearm or even hearing gunshots. Even the yakuza tend to avoid using guns because the legal consequences are extremely harsh and police raids into their businesses become extremely relentless. Japan's Firearm and Sword possession control law strictly limits gun ownership to shotguns and and air rifles under tight regulation. Even those require a lengthy licensing process, including written tests, mental health evaluations, background checks and regular police inspections. Handguns are completely banned for civilians. Forget about it. The general public is culturally and legally distanced from firearms at all times and gun ownership carries a significant social stigma. If you're caught in possession of an illegal firearm in Japan, to put it bluntly, you are fucked. Deep trouble. You're potentially looking at 10 years in prison. Sentencing gets harsher if the gun was used in the commission of a crime or is linked to organized crime. I hope for the boss man's sake he was just collecting somehow, though I doubt it. Either way, needless to say, we will not be seeing him for a while. While even just owning bullets without a gun can lead to prison time in Japan and the judges rarely show leniency to anything. Japanese police also have the power to investigate aggressively when it comes to gun related offenses. As I said, it's raids, surveillance and forensic checks. All this is common. People generally do not mess around with guns. The system is so airtight that even Japan's underworld mostly steer clear of them. So what has happened with the boss man is completely beyond me. If I had to guess, seeing as he was pretty young and Trendy, but also involved in organized crime. Maybe he wanted a gun just for status. I don't know, though. The whole thing is a bit mad. So as you can imagine, our contact in this race crew went cold. For now, anyway. Luckily for us, Kanjozoku is not the only street race in counterculture here in Japan. Far from it. John happens to have contacts with a very different style of underground racing. One night, he randomly calls ahead and tells us we're going to the outskirts of Osaka. It's about an hour's drive away to a smaller town where the mountains are nearby. He comes to pick us up in his honestly immaculate Civic and tells us we're going on a drive, potentially into the world of Toge. To understand the Japanese Touge scene, you've got to picture the country's spine. The winding mountain passes cutting through dense forests, blurry ridgelines and treacherous switchbacks where visibility often drops to zero. These are the backbones of rural Japan, originally the land of farmers, villagers and monks. But by the late 80s and 90s, they became the battleground for a specific breed of underground petrolhead. The Touge races. This is not a fast and furious style drag racing scene. This is something much quieter, hidden Togae is under wraps and is incredibly risky. A dance between man, machine and nature. These drivers drift or grip their cars down narrow mountain roads at full speed, with drops of certain death just feet over the fence line. One wrong move and the Togekas are flying into a jagged rock ravine. There is almost no chance of survival. This all started when the big city boys of Tokyo raced on the Wangan expressways and toll roads around Tokyo Bay. The rural and suburban kids had to get their own thing going. With no money for track days or toll roads, they looked to the mountain passes nearby. These winding roads were free, isolated and perfect for testing cornering skills. And so Toge racing was born, not necessarily to see who was faster in a straight line, but who had the precision and the guts to thread the needle through tight mountain bends at terrifying speeds. Also, the philosophy was different. This was not about octane and speed. This was about rhythm, flow and keeping your composure. There is no central Touge organization, no league, no official hierarchy. It's different to Kanjo in that respect. Small circles of trust among drivers keep the scene active in the underground. In Touge, you have to prove yourself before you're even allowed to race on the mountain pass. Not with money or kit or gear, but with consistency and commitment. Everyone knows the risks. A crash in Togai is worse than a bent bumper or smashed windows. If you fuck up here, you're rolling down a mountain or slamming into a wall. With no ambulances or hospitals for miles around, most touge races happen in the dead of night. No traffic, no witnesses, fewer cops. Walkie talkies, burner phones and encrypted apps are used to coordinate. A sentry is placed at the top and bottom of the course to warn if police or other vehicles are coming. Some teams even use spotters halfway along the route with torches or laser pens to signal potential hazards. With toge, the roads are never really uniform. You can't exactly get used to the feel of the road like you can with Kanjo. Some touge runs are tight, technical, full of hairpins and steep descents. Others, like the Gunma Passes, have more flow and open corners. But all are narrow, blind and very dangerous. Within the touge scene, there's a clear ideological split the Grip drivers versus The Drifters Generally, it's seen that both come under the same umbrella of touge. Grip racers believe in maximum traction, perfect apexes and precision driving. Always. Their goal is to maintain speed through corners using racing lines, braking points and tyre grip. These guys are usually quiet, disciplined, methodical. Drifters, on the other hand, are all about style and control. In chaos, they throw the rear end out into corners, intentionally breaking traction but keeping control through throttle steering and counter steering technique techniques. It's actually not always the fastest way through a corner, but it is definitely the coolest way to do it. And to the drifting contingent of touge, they feel it's the purest. In truth, many touge racers do both. They can grip when they need to win and drift when they want to show off. The best are fluent in both dialects of speed. It can even be argued that touge is just the place and not the whole scene, but both are interchangeable.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Now through August 26th, it's back to Deals time where you can enjoy storewide deals and earn four times points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from Hershey's, Cheez It, Kellogg's, Gatorade, Smart Water, Skinny Pop, Oberto, Zoa and Activia. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Shop in store or online for easy drive up and go pick or delivery subject to availability restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Stuff You Should Know Host]

The stuff you should know guys have made their own summer playlists of their must listen podcasts on movies.

[Josh Clark]

It's me Josh and I'd like to welcome you to the Stuff you should know Summer Movie Playlist. What screams summer more than a nice darkened air conditioned theater and a great movie playing right in front of you?

[Stuff You Should Know Host]

Episodes on James Bond, special effects, stunt men and women, disaster films, even movies that change filmmaking and many more. Listen to the Stuff you should Know Summer Movie Playlist on the iHeartrade radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Bob Crawford]

American history is full of wise people.

[Jake Hanrahan]

What woman said something like no 99.99 of war is diarrhea and 1% is glory. Those founding fathers were gossipy AF and.

[Stuff You Should Know Host]

They love to cut each other down.

[Bob Crawford]

I'm Bob Crawford, host of American History Hotline, the show where you send us your questions about American history and I find the answers, including the nuggets of wisdom our history has to offer. Hamilton pauses and then he says, the.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Greatest man that ever lived was Julius Caesar.

[Bob Crawford]

And Jefferson writes in his diary, this.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Proves that Hamilton is for a dictator based on corruption.

[Josh Clark]

My favorite line was what Neil Armstrong said.

[Jake Hanrahan]

It would have been harder to fake it than to do it.

[Bob Crawford]

Listen to American History Hotline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ryan Seacrest]

A foot washed up, a shoe with some bones in it.

[Jake Hanrahan]

They had no idea who it was. Most everything was burned up pretty good from the fire that not a whole lot was salvageable.

[iHeart Podcast Host]

These are the coldest of cold cases. But everything is about to change. Every case that is a cold case that has DNA right now in a backlog will be identified in our lifetime. A small lab in Texas is cracking the code on DNA using new scientific tools. They're finding clues in evidence so tiny you might just miss it.

[Jake Hanrahan]

He never thought he was going to.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Get caught and I just looked at my computer screen, I was just like, ah, gotcha.

[iHeart Podcast Host]

On America's Crime Lab, we'll learn about victims and survivors and you'll meet the team behind the scenes at othram, the Houston lab that takes on the most hopeless cases to finally solve the unsolvable. Listen to America's Crime Lab on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Now. Touge Cars are nothing like the quarter mile drag racing machines you might see in places like America. The Japanese counterparts are light, nimble and built for twisting roads. Weight reduction is key. Like the Kanjo racing drivers gut the interior, remove rear seats, spare tires, and sometimes even replace the doors and bonnets with fiberglass or carbon fiber. Popular choices of cars for Racing on Togai include Toyota AE86, the Mazda RX7, the Nissan Silvia, the Honda Civic and Integra type, and the Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Evo. Engine swaps, coilovers, strut bars, roll cages, LSDs and grippy tires are the norm when it can be afforded. No nos, nothing flashy, just purpose built machines made to survive the mountain's pass. Now, despite tollgate being highly illegal, the racers live by a strict code of conduct. There are unspoken rules. Never race in the rain unless you're preparing to die. Never endanger civilians. If a car is coming, stop the race. If you crash, you fix your own mess. No trash talking. Without skill to back it up and respect the mountain, always. Toge is not a free for all. Like other underground racing scenes here, the mountain is sacred. Not just as a proving ground, but as a place of honor for the racers. Whilst the Touge scene is definitely still active, as we'll see, it's nothing like it was in the mid-90s. Back then, Touge racing had exploded. There was even a whole manga series about it called Initial D. It's very cool. You might have heard of it. If not, check it out. Initial D. Generally, message boards and forums on the Internet helped to spread the culture internationally. But with more eyes came more heat from the cops. As with Kanjo, the Japanese police began cracking down hard. Night patrols in Togae areas increased. Penalties for illegal modifications got harsher. And if you got caught racing or even being associated with it, you risk losing your license immediately, having your car impounded, or getting a hefty fine. It got serious in some prefectures. A street racing conviction could even tank your job prospects or get you kicked out of school. Some local governments started installing speed bumps or roadblocks in notorious touge areas. Others set up permanent surveillance. As a result, many togay drivers faded into obscurity. Some moved to sanctioned motorsports. Others just got older and stopped. But a few, the hardcore, they kept the torch burning. This hardcore element has endured till today. And there are still toge crews popping up around the country. John tells us we're headed to meet a load of them right now. Hardcore underground racers adapted to Touge. Apparently they're interested in speaking to us. Us first though. We have to go and meet them at a garage on the outskirts. We drive out of Osaka at night. The more space we put between us and the city, the less neon and color that is here. The roads are longer, flatter, and the only thing keeping them lit up are LED street lights. A hazy orange glow every 50ft points us in the right direction. John says he knows these guys well. Back in the day, John rode around with them back when the car counterculture was widespread, violent and a lot less hidden. We move through the streets and eventually end up at the garage. This area is kind of gritty. I like it. There's an extremely loud main road running through the town with angry traffic. Even at this time. There's rubbish and car debris gathered in the gutters and you can just feel that this is not the city. I grew up in a place not too different from this, a backwater that's not so far from the city but has none of its ponsse airs and graces. Halogen lights from inside the garage beam out to the front. There are probably a hundred cars here, all lined up next to each other in the courtyard. Almost all of them are Honda Civics or similarly adjacent Japanese street racing cars. The air is thick with the smell of petrol and cigarettes. Not the best combination. A heavily decal Civic is pulled up out the front. It's been in a crash. The marine blue of the chassis is torn through. It looks as if a giant claw has attacked it and peeled back its skin to the metal nerve endings. The passenger door is folded inward, crushed like a Coke can. The windscreen is a cobweb of broken glass and the front wheels are bent sideways. Whoever drove this didn't die in the crash, but they most likely thought they would at the time. As I examine the rest of the trash Civic, we hear voices approaching. Half a dozen young lads and one young woman exit the garage. They've all got their faces masked in nylon bandanas or straight up balaclavas. This is the team we've come to meet. They'll be taking us to the mountains next week. You'll hear how we drove up a small ravine and drove down it very, very fast. You've been listening to the Away Days Podcast to watch independent Awaydays documentaries. Subscribe to our [e-mail] ydays podcast is a production of H11 Studio for Callzone Media. Reporting, producing, writing, editing and research by me, Jake Hanrahan Co producing by Sophie Lichterman Music by Sam Black Sound mix by Splicing Block Photography by Johnny Pickup and Louis Hollis Graphic design by Laura Adamson and Casey Highfield.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Now through August 26th, it's back to deals time, where you can enjoy storewide deals and earn four times points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from Hershey's, Cheez It, Kellogg's, Gatorade, Smart Water, Skinny Pop, Oberto, Zoa and Activia. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Shop in store or online for easy drive up and go pick up or delivery subject to availability restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Stuff You Should Know Host]

The stuff you should Know Guys have made their own summer playlists of their must listen Podcasts on movies it's me.

[Josh Clark]

Josh, and I'd like to welcome you to the Stuff youf Should Know Summer Movie Playlist. What screams summer more than a nice darkened air conditioned theater and a great movie playing right in front of you?

[Stuff You Should Know Host]

Episodes on James Bond, special effects, stunt men and women, disaster films, even movies that change filmmaking and many more? Listen to the Stuff youf Should Know Summer Movie Playlist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Bob Crawford]

I'm Bob Crawford, host of American History Hotline, a different type of podcast. You, the listener, ask the questions.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Did George Washington really cut down a cherry tree?

[iHeart Podcast Host]

Were JFK and Marilyn Monroe having an affair?

[Bob Crawford]

And I find the answers. I am so glad you asked me this question.

[iHeart Podcast Host]

This is such a ridiculous story.

[Bob Crawford]

You can listen to American History Hotline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Hinojosa]

When I became a journalist, I was the first Latina in the newsrooms where I worked. I'm Maria Hinojosa. I spent my career creating journalism that centers voices who have been historically sidelined. From the most pressing news stories to deep cultural explorations, Latino USA is journalism with heart. Listen to Latino usa, the longest running Latino news and culture show in the United States. Hear it on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[iHeart Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast.