In Hamamatsu, Shizuoka… “Tense scene” where Shinobu Tsukasa and Seiji Takayama, the head of the Shinobu Tsukasa clan, and other top executives gathered.

On December 13, in front of the headquarters of the Yamaguchigumi Kokuryo-ya family in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, there was a very serious atmosphere. What was taking place was the “Jigatsumae Ceremony” of the Yamaguchigumi VI. It is customary for Yamaguchigumi to greet the New Year one step ahead of others, and on this day, many directly participating bosses gathered, including boss Shinobu Tsukasa and Seiji Takayama. About 50 police officers from the Shizuoka Prefectural Police as well as from all over Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, rushed to the scene and stood guard. Atsushi Mizoguchi, a nonfiction writer well versed in the gang situation, commented, “‘Jikkakeme’ is the first time a gang has been involved in a fight in the general public.

The “Jikkajime” is like a New Year’s party in the general public. The gang leaders gather and greet their bosses, saying, ‘I look forward to working with you for the next year. Sometimes they introduce the newest direct lineage leader.

It was around 8:45 a.m. when the tension at the site began to mount. The garage of the Kokuryo-ya family slowly opened as a black Mercedes arrived. On the premises, young leader Takayama and other senior leaders greeted the union leader Tsukasa as he got out of the car.

Around 12:00 noon, there was this scene. When a lively melody began to be heard from inside, the police officers who had been standing by began to listen at once through a gap in the gatepost. The Yamaguchigumi members seemed to be enjoying the enka.

Around 12:30 p.m., the garage opened again, and the head of the Tsukasa clan left the Kokuryoya family. After that, the young head Takayama and others got into the car one after another, and the “Jikki-no-Meeting Ceremony” was over.

In front of the many police who had gathered, the VI Yamaguchigumi finished their New Year’s greetings in a dignified manner. What kind of measures will be taken against the Kobe Yamaguchigumi, which is being cornered?

Unless we end the war, Yamaguchigumi VI will not be able to be replaced. I am sure that Waka-taichi Takayama wants to put the war behind him as soon as possible. For that reason, there is a possibility that he will switch to the direction of “one shot, one hit,” in the future. Instead of small attacks such as ramming a car into someone, they will decide with a single blow,” Mizoguchi said.

Next year, the split war may take a major turn.

From “FRIDAY” December 30, 2022 issue