Aside from the rations distributed by the government, people had to buy everything else from the black market. The official market had collapsed, and the black market flourished.
For black market merchants, Japan was a paradise.
The entire black market was controlled by gangs, and it was like a return to the jungle, where the law of the strongest prevailed.
Fights broke out every day.
Especially in the Shinjuku black market.
...
The boss here was named Ken Otsu, and he had gathered over a hundred men under his command, controlling the Shinjuku black market. His crew also operated an underground casino and controlled a group of women.