Teruaki Takeuchi’s Rise Signals Power Shift Toward Seventh Kumicho in Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi

Personnel affairs behind the scenes as told by a person related to a gangster

Japan’s largest yakuza syndicate, the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi, has suddenly taken action.

The organization’s number two, Wakagashira Kiyoshi Takayama, has assumed the newly created position of advisor, while his successor will be Teruaki Takeuchi, who has been promoted from Wakagashira-hosa. This top-level personnel decision was communicated to affiliated groups by the executive leadership on April 18.

The Sixth Generation regime marks its 20th year since its formation in 2005. Kumicho Shinobu Tsukasa is now 83 years old, and Wakagashira Takayama is 77, so this move is seen as part of a generational shift toward 65-year-old Takeuchi. On the 7th of this month, the group also submitted a written declaration to the Hyogo Prefectural Police that has been interpreted as a one-sided announcement of the end of its conflict with the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi. Authorities are closely watching both the personnel changes and the implications for the ongoing gang conflict.

Since the beginning of the split conflict in August 2015, dozens have been killed or injured on both sides—between the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi and the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi. At the time of the split, the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi had about 6,000 members, and the Kobe faction had about 2,800—roughly a 2-to-1 power balance. However, according to data compiled by the National Police Agency as of the end of 2024, the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi now has about 3,300 members, while the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi has shrunk to around 120, indicating a large shift in influence.

A senior executive of a designated crime syndicate based in the Tokyo metropolitan area, who has been monitoring the conflict, noted: “Recently, there’s been no reaction from the Kobe side. It’s essentially already settled.”

He added the following perspective on the motive behind the personnel changes and the declaration of conflict resolution:

“Kumicho Tsukasa likely wants to step down due to his age. In other words, this is a move intended to position Takeuchi as the new Seventh Kumicho. However, unless the conflict is fully resolved—including the disbandment of the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi and the retirement of its leader, Kunio Inoue (76)—any transition to a new regime would acknowledge the continued existence of the Kobe faction in this unresolved state. That’s likely why they issued a one-sided declaration, to bring a formal end to the conflict.”

The war is not over yet

The movement toward a full-fledged Seventh Generation regime is gaining momentum. Regarding the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi’s declaration of the conflict’s end—which served as a strategic stepping stone toward this shift—investigative authorities believe there is another underlying aim: the removal of the designated conflict group status.

In the fall of 2019, as incidents such as the shootings of Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi executives and members occurred in rapid succession and public safety was threatened, police designated both groups as “Specified Rival Organized Crime Groups” under the Anti-Organized Crime Law in January 2020. Areas with major offices, such as Kobe, Osaka, and Nagoya, were marked as caution zones. In these zones, groups of about five or more can be immediately arrested, and the use of offices and similar facilities is strictly restricted.

Under these circumstances, the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi submitted a declaration. However, a senior investigative official commented:

“Even if one side submits a declaration and proclaims an end to the conflict, it doesn’t mean reconciliation has been achieved. The designated conflict status will likely remain in place for some time while we assess the situation.”

Regarding personnel changes, the official added:

“This summer marks 20 years since the Sixth Generation regime began. It’s possible that the formal unveiling of the Seventh Generation could happen at that time.”

However, Takeuchi also serves as the head of the Kodo-kai, the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi’s core affiliate. Kumicho Tsukasa and advisor Takayama also hail from the same group. This means that the de facto top three—Kumicho Tsukasa, Wakagashira Takeuchi, and advisor Takayama—would all be from the Kodo-kai. The official noted, “There are certainly voices within the organization questioning this concentration of power,” and stated that police are carefully monitoring developments.

The Yamaguchi-gumi was founded in 1915. Ironically, its split and ensuing conflict began in 2015—the group’s 100th anniversary. Now, in 2025, its 110th year, the organization faces a pivotal moment: will the division be fully resolved, paving the way for the official launch of the Seventh Generation regime? A major turning point lies ahead.