<figure id="attachment_354881" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2183px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354881"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="6de51f20"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/306d81a5d62798f899590dac0e2b6b54.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354881" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wakagashira Kiyoshi Takayama of the 6th generation Yamaguchi-gumi descended at Tokyo Station. The scene was enveloped in tension due to his imposing presence.</span></figcaption></figure>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The air in Tokyo Station on a weekday when businessmen were passing by was instantly tense.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Around 3:30 in the afternoon, in mid-January, a stern-looking man, accompanied by a group of similarly formidable men, appeared at the ticket gates of Tokyo Station. It was Wakagashira Kiyoshi Takayama of the 6th generation Yamaguchi-gumi. He wore a flowing black overcoat, and notably, white gloves. Though using a cane for support, his expression appeared lively.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While plainclothes police officers were on high alert, Wakagashira Takayama, along with welcoming members of the organization, headed towards the car drop-off area. Boarding a waiting vehicle, they proceeded towards the Chiba direction. The destination was a funeral hall located in Nagareyama City, Chiba Prefecture.</span></p>
<p><b>&#8220;On this day, a funeral for a senior member of the Sumiyoshi-kai was taking place. The 6th generation Yamaguchi-gumi and the Sumiyoshi-kai have deepened their friendship since around the time when Shinobu Tsukasawas released in 2011. According to the announcement by the National Police Agency, the number of Sumiyoshi-kai members was approximately 2,400 as of the end of 2022. This is the second-highest number among designated organized crime groups, following the 6th generation Yamaguchi-gumi. Given the desire to maintain a positive relationship, it seems that Wakagashira Takayama&#8217;s participation on this occasion is part of that ongoing effort.&#8221;</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Information provided by a journalist knowledgeable about the Yakuza scene)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The parking lot in front of the venue was lined with luxury cars. About 30 strong men stood in front of the building, and more than 20 plainclothes police officers stood guard a short distance away. The security was extremely high, but inside the venue, something even more astonishing was happening. The leaders of the chivalrous world were holding a summit meeting.</span></p>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="The top leaders of the three organizations gathered for a tense meeting."></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the desk with Wakatama Takayama were Shuji Ogawa, chairman of the Sumiyoshi-kai, and Kazuya Uchibori, chairman of the Inagawa-kai.</span></p>
<p><b>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know the specific details, but judging from the smiles on all three faces, it was undoubtedly a friendly gathering. Wakagashira Takayama engaged in lively gestures and actively exchanged information. Interestingly, this Yakuza Summit was also held last year. When it took place in April of the previous year, it lasted for over an hour at the Inagawa-kai headquarters. However, this time, it was quite short, lasting about 15 minutes. It&#8217;s purely speculative, but it seems to be more of a spontaneous event resulting from the unexpected encounter at the funeral venue.&#8221; </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">(Source: Chiba Prefectural Police official)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After the meeting, the three men came out of the hall, greeted by a voice saying, &#8220;Thank you for your hard work”. Wakagashira Takayama went straight to the pickup truck and left Chairman Ogawa and Chairman Uchibori on their way home.</span></p>
<p><b>&#8220;This August marks the 10th year since the split and conflict between the 6th generation Yamaguchi-gumi and the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi. In January of this year, a violent incident occurred in Shikokuchuo City, Ehime Prefecture, where a man affiliated with an organized crime group was shot and killed. The shooter was identified as Yuichiro Yuichiro Maeya, a former Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi member and a senior member of the Ikeda-gumi. While this incident is said to be unrelated to the gang conflict and more of a personal vendetta, the situation remains unpredictable as we approach this milestone. In that sense, I believe this meeting had the intention of confirming the relationships between various factions, given the potential for anything to happen before this significant anniversary.&#8221;</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Information provided by the aforementioned journalist knowledgeable about the Yakuza scene)</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As we approach a pivotal year, tension is escalating in the Yamaguchi-gumi split conflict. There may be significant developments this year, adding to the intensity of the situation.</span></p>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="Powerful...Inside photo of the summit meeting between top leaders of the yakuza"></div>
<figure id="attachment_354880" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3345px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354880"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="8de95856"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/ad4b3cd4773383c1dd37d6dfca62c005.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354880" class="wp-caption-text">The &#8220;Yakuza Summit&#8221; was suddenly held. Wakao Takayama (center) speaks aggressively, gesturing with his hands. Chairman Uchibori of the Inagawa-kai and Chairman Ogawa of the Sumiyoshi-kai are also present.</figcaption></figure>
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<figure id="attachment_354883" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3801px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354883"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="0eed5d78"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/f81b3d1ec1601c530b444e16c0345f42.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354883" class="wp-caption-text">Chairman Uchibori smiles during the meeting.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354884" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3714px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354884"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="993e7db0"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/998f28a736ad58f32dcb7639cb1d88d6.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354884" class="wp-caption-text">Chairman Ogawa (center right) listens intently</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354885" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3497px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354885"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="fe1239d7"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/42a4dabbe4e8158b7b07206ff3d82291.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354885" class="wp-caption-text">[Image] The &#8220;Top 3&#8221; of the Yakuza gathered&#8230; The surprising inside story of the &#8220;Yakuza Summit.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354886" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2853px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354886"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="562ebf3b"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/a39285a691d7e4b511fc6ddd4974a1a5.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354886" class="wp-caption-text">The top three members of the yakuza gathered at the Yakuza Summit in Tokyo.</figcaption></figure>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="Wakao Takayama, a young yakuza leader, strolls through Tokyo Station with his gang members in tow..!"></div>
<figure id="attachment_354903" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1526px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354903"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="f2ea539a"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/c005e8823ad4f0373df559fec3dfd8cd.png" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354903" class="wp-caption-text">Wakagashira Takayama arrives at Tokyo Station. The gang members who greeted him were on the lookout for him. It was the middle of the day on a weekday, but the scene was filled with a strange tension.</figcaption></figure>
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<figure id="attachment_354904" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1478px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354904"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="bbd808e2"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/29b1f62e8f85c5c2107582eaad261bc1.png" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354904" class="wp-caption-text">The top three members of the yakuza gathered at the Yakuza Summit in Tokyo.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354889" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2237px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354889"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="469fb617"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/13180e0378151544458c52c8ce2b136d.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354889" class="wp-caption-text">The top three members of the yakuza gathered at the Yakuza Summit in Tokyo.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354890" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3773px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354890"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="ea41198b"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/fb0127f4c1711a3333a9431049bb497a.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354890" class="wp-caption-text">The top three members of the yakuza gathered at the Yakuza Summit in Tokyo.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354891" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1534px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354891"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="db59d38d"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/e3a688f5752eb6dd7e53ef3ccd2215c0.png" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354891" class="wp-caption-text">The top three members of the yakuza gathered at the Yakuza Summit in Tokyo.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354892" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1522px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354892"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="90693e47"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/a2b85be53c82b700a3002c2742c15e9a.png" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354892" class="wp-caption-text">The top three members of the yakuza gathered at the Yakuza Summit in Tokyo.</figcaption></figure>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="Gorgeous venue! Sumiyoshi-kai executives Inside the ceremony hall&quot;(Japanese only)"></div>
<figure id="attachment_354919" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3888px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354919"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="21d8e349"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/e6fa204d05e2d5f00bfc23b269d9611a.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354919" class="wp-caption-text">The funeral was held in a dignified manner.</figcaption></figure>
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<figure id="attachment_354923" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3794px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354923"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="dab29b6d"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/2d1062d443e0f6604bb916781e22b8ae.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354923" class="wp-caption-text">While the top leaders were meeting, the members of the organization were lined up in the hall, watching the situation.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354921" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3790px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354921"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="d14143a9"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/f6cc1fc97f7c674ccbda979e215cb560.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354921" class="wp-caption-text">The altar was lavishly decorated. At the top of the altar is the name of the head of the Sumiyoshikai, Mr. Ogawa, the head of the Sumiyoshikai.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354924" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1532px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354924"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="cfc5b185"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/4fe8d9e09319043d68fa1b4013aefb67.png" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354924" class="wp-caption-text">A large number of members were waiting outside the funeral home to escort visitors to and from their cars.</figcaption></figure>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="The three differing expressions shown by the three men at the scene ..."></div>
<figure id="attachment_354893" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3595px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354893"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="4b12f899"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/a26770cbac3fb05fd6ef8aecdea320ca.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354893" class="wp-caption-text">Young Master Takayama came out of the hall. There was no smile on his face. I wonder what he thinks after the meeting, which marked a milestone.</figcaption></figure>
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<figure id="attachment_354895" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3378px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354895"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="44d37137"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/ee672f7dead17c12cbf53bbbee3e5b24.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354895" class="wp-caption-text">He was seen off by not only the executives of the Yamaguchigumi VI, but also Chairman Uchibori, Chairman Ogawa, and other gang members, and got into a courtesy car.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354896" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3157px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354896"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="0c486879"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/207ba3714503ea331eadcce77f4d6f3e.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354896" class="wp-caption-text">Chairman Uchibori (center left) and Chairman Ogawa (center right) seeing off Wakao Takayama. Their expressions show the tension in their hearts.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354897" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3034px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354897"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="8ac2793a"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/9be836d863fffe7d60cb37b31435b0db.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354897" class="wp-caption-text">The top three members of the yakuza gathered at the Yakuza Summit in Tokyo.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_354898" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2269px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-354898"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="5e02775d"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/01/a8e41dc733a2afc132ea68d71bd68c5d.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-354898" class="wp-caption-text">Ogawa, perhaps feeling a sense of relief at having conducted the funeral without incident, finally smiled.</figcaption></figure>
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 Shinji Hamasaki

 Seiji Takayama, the young leader of Yamaguchigumi VI, landed at Tokyo Station in the middle of the day. Under high alert, he went to the funeral of a Sumiyoshi-kai executive. There, the Sumiyoshi-kai chairman and the Inagawa-kai chairman held a "yakuza summit". The inside story: ......

Yakuza Summit: Secrets Revealed at Sumiyoshi-kai Funeral

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