I agree with with you when it comes to the crime groups in Italy. I'm not sure if the same was ever possible in the US though. There are a lot of differences, as I listed above.

Also, if you look at the news about the Yakuza in recent years, its membership has shrunk considerably and it no longer enjoys open acceptance in Japanese society like it once did.

You're right about the Genovese. They've continually been said to be the most sophisticated family, maintaining more involvement in labor unions and legitimate business than the other families.