100+ Yakuza Gather at Inagawa-kai Boss Funeral; Yamaguchi-gumi Leader Tsukasa Attends with Strong Presence

Over 100 yakuza members gathered from all over the country

On May 15th, under perfect clear skies befitting the term “satsukibare”, the Kanto region enjoyed fine weather. Even while standing still, the heat was enough to make one sweat — and in the midst of it, burly men dressed in black suits and black ties gathered one after another from all over Japan at the Inagawa Kaikan, the headquarters of the Inagawa-kai, on the outskirts of Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Including those who arrived by bullet train and plane, the number easily surpassed 100. From early morning, investigators from the Kanagawa Prefectural Police were stationed at nearby Shin-Yokohama Station, and more than 40 officers kept watch in front of the Inagawa Kaikan, where the ceremony was being held.

What was happening as the nation eased back into routine after Golden Week?

“What took place that day was a kaisō (memorial service) for Inagawa-kai’s Supreme Leader Jiro Kiyota, who passed away on April 21st. A private funeral in a closed format was held late last month at the Yamakawa family’s headquarters, Kiyota’s original group. However, there were constant requests from Inagawa-kai’s affiliate groups to pay their respects, so this official memorial service was organized at the Inagawa Kaikan in suburban Yokohama,” explained a journalist well-versed in Inagawa-kai affairs.

Attending the memorial were 25 affiliated groups — from friendly groups in the Kanto region to organizations from Sanyo in western Japan, Kyushu, and as far as Okinawa. Each leader arrived with their top men to offer incense one after another. The police also responded with heightened vigilance, deploying officers not only from the Kanagawa Prefectural Police and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, but also from neighboring Saitama, Tochigi, and Yamanashi prefectures, as well as more distant regions like Shizuoka and Hyogo.

“The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department stationed investigators not only at the venue and stations but even at Haneda Airport, since it falls under their jurisdiction. Kanagawa Prefectural Police fielded about 30 officers in a large-scale operation. They positioned officers at the venue, the station, and other key points. In fact, the sheer number of officers at Shin-Yokohama Station’s pick-up area drew complaints from regular station users,” reported a national newspaper social affairs desk journalist.

Amid this intense security, there came a moment when tension peaked — when the leader of Japan’s largest yakuza syndicate, the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi’s Shinobu Tsukasa, made his appearance at the venue.

Making an appearance accompanied by top executives

“I’m opening it!”

At 10:30 a.m., a deep voice echoed through the hall. At that signal, the iron gates at the main entrance, which had been shut, swung open. Before long, two luxury cars appeared. Stepping out was Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi boss Shinobu Tsukasa (83).

Tsukasa, accompanied by top executives including Teruaki Takeuchi (65), who had just been appointed wakagashira (underboss) in April, proceeded forward. At the entrance of the hall, Inagawa-kai Chairman Kazuya Uchibori personally greeted them, bowing to Tsukasa and his entourage. Guided by Uchibori, they entered the hall. Tsukasa and his group stayed for about 10 minutes. After offering incense, they quietly left.

Even after their departure, visitors to the Inagawa Kaikan continued arriving.

“Many groups exceeded their planned number of attendees, and in the end it seems the total reached well over 100 people. But it was a free incense-offering format, so there weren’t assigned seats. Each person paid their respects at the altar set up in the large hall on the second floor, then was guided to a reception room on the first floor, where Chairman Uchibori personally served them tea and thanked them for coming. Things proceeded smoothly like that, and though it was scheduled to start at 10 a.m. and finish at 1 p.m., it actually wrapped up just after noon,” said the aforementioned journalist.

FRIDAY GOLD carried detailed coverage of the future of the yakuza world following the death of Inagawa-kai President Jirō Kiyota, along with photographs of other well-known yakuza figures who attended the memorial.