<figure id="attachment_434349" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434349"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="b41613cb"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/1bbe71cef3d267985849c251d02c064c.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-434349" class="wp-caption-text">The sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi boss, Shinobu Tsukasa (center), held a meeting with Sumiyoshi-kai president Ogawa.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Meeting Between the Sixth-Generation Yamaguchi-gumi and the Sumiyoshi-kai</h3>
<p data-start="90" data-end="538">In early July, a quiet residential area on the outskirts of Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, was enveloped in a tense atmosphere. At the headquarters of the Hirai Family, a secondary organization of the designated yakuza group, the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi, tough-looking men were coming and going busily from early morning, while numerous police officers, primarily from the Aichi Prefectural Police, stood on high alert around the area.</p>
<p data-start="540" data-end="916">The tension peaked around 12:30 p.m., when the previously closed shutters of the headquarters opened, and Yamaguchi-gumi members began to appear one after another. Among them, a particularly noticeable presence emerged—Sumiyoshi-kai president Shuji Ogawa, a leader of another designated yakuza group, appeared, seemingly escorted by Yamaguchi-gumi boss Shinobu Tsukasa (83).</p>
<p data-start="918" data-end="1022">What was the purpose of this secret meeting between the two major figures representing the underworld?</p>
<p data-start="1024" data-end="1500"><strong>“On that day, what took place at the Hirai Family headquarters was a seasonal greeting between the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi and the Sumiyoshi-kai. Two days prior, the Yamaguchi-gumi had held meetings inviting nine affiliated or friendly groups. Wakagashira Takeuchi Shomei (65) and Kazuya Uchibori, president of the Inagawa-kai and a brother-in-arms in equal standing, were the first to visit. Afterwards, prominent yakuza from across the country continued to arrive.</strong></p>
<p data-start="1502" data-end="1865"><strong>Although the Sumiyoshi-kai is not a related or friendly group, the two organizations have strengthened ties in recent years, so on the third day, only one group visited. The meeting lasted about 20 minutes, but it seemed productive, as both groups were smiling when leaving the Hirai Family headquarters,”</strong> said a journalist familiar with Yamaguchi-gumi affairs.</p>
<p data-start="1867" data-end="2156">Indeed, both Tsukasa and Ogawa appeared calm. At the farewell, Tsukasa was seen leaning into the back seat of Ogawa’s car, exchanging cheerful words. After seeing off the Sumiyoshi-kai members, Tsukasa’s vehicle left the headquarters shortly after 1 p.m., marking the end of the meeting.</p>
<p data-start="2158" data-end="2432">The paid edition of FRIDAY GOLD provides detailed coverage, including insider photos of the summit of the two major leaders between the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi and the Sumiyoshi-kai, as well as insights into the intentions of key figure advisor Seiji Takayama.</p>
<div data-friday-gold-link-url="https://friday.gold/article/355778" data-friday-gold-link-title="Secret meeting of Yamaguchigumi VI head Tsukasa Shinobu and Sumiyoshi-kai chairman with a young head of the Yamaguchigumi" data-friday-gold-link-excerpt="It was in mid-July that a quiet residential area in the suburbs of Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, was enveloped in a tense atmosphere. At the headquarters of the Hirai Family, a secondary organization of the Yamaguchigumi VI, strong-looking men were busily going in and out from early in the morning, and the Aichi Prefectural Police were in the vicinity." data-friday-gold-link-thumbnail-wide="https://assets.friday.gold/friday-wp-production-assets/app/uploads/2025/08/62f9032bb79b17a9dc98cd50b405f647-03170811638084.jpg/v/crop-faces:width=256,height=144/format:type=webp?Expires=4102444800&amp;Key-Pair-Id=K2H5GZZHVJCN4V&amp;Signature=CjKbeQU6fi29orkLgEREpYDuh0EJRfwWBoiBI7lVwKjxojRF9Lhl5hyODhjk1Rk~ZOCsVJ-clHNhZAmo2WebxQ2De2bIfmig6LIWp37t-LoOa82DexdyUVytOCO9Xvu7hKi0SHuUqkFaw1lhTmZiTRIYNExtnzXfR8lZAXSlMSy1nvnUTrzmgBLRRif13cmc9NbE-gaC-4UNtDSc7RE6Ne-M572mmmrL1mP7~IZcCWOOB6tTtkaijuL~~58gjQZu7i0cC0c8FCcF6VIVOHZpCjPVcSe9hl67XnxKzFNiDZwSIy0Qmxu7Fu~hpfFmc4U2NCShaCHvTA2tQeDzwNG2qw__" data-friday-gold-link-thumbnail-square="https://assets.friday.gold/friday-wp-production-assets/app/uploads/2025/08/62f9032bb79b17a9dc98cd50b405f647-03170811638084.jpg/v/crop-faces:width=105,height=105/format:type=webp?Expires=4102444800&amp;Key-Pair-Id=K2H5GZZHVJCN4V&amp;Signature=fdgIxvROYDM3KgmmnLPd7TKnZvER0XBSxZM5nNQlwQe7DpmJ~UNLA3r~T~1iOaQONJY3JxNKb-K4IvXzucOWvPdBMaFhBUrxFeVM5mp22a-z7Y0j0fWpmOIMtrukq3ULWv2V8ehdrzQnjOI~3r4PG-uXjsM5JPTD0FdXtIRNf0ETEtgFf4sxK2gdtgImQCprko9bW4CBEcCfUjkXqPY-J36obhuJRngcyoayUIOVL0vz7lhqUdjRcHOC2Td8eNSu-n6XVynsCSwQEiIG8IhudFUeZJMNiqpQ8G2Y3adWBOeYK9LPPpyUGqSiU6VnsDJnzUyl6xaIPoUe4ACK49qLSw__"></div>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="Terrifying...the members of the Yamaguchigumi VI lined up in front of the headquarters."></div>
<figure id="attachment_434355" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434355"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="7eb88631"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/54191e81ba03d9cea186b33056d2109b.png" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-434355" class="wp-caption-text">Hirai Family headquarters, where seasonal greetings with the Sumiyoshi-kai were held.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_434351" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434351"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="204a92b2"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/44e344fc0589be133765a77d8020f052.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-434351" class="wp-caption-text">Wakagashira Takeuchi (center) waits in the headquarters parking lot for the arrival of guests.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_434352" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434352"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="9861c4a6"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/e895c79fd4e92c93b60bb6fbe7df0feb.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-434352" class="wp-caption-text">Shortly after 11:30 a.m., a group believed to be carrying Tsukasa arrived at the headquarters.</figcaption></figure>
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<figure id="attachment_434353" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434353"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="0c8997b0"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/cb479f05adbd3cf5778e5125bf8e1fca.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-434353" class="wp-caption-text">Just before 12:30 p.m., Sumiyoshi-kai chairman Shuji Ogawa (center left), having finished the greetings, leaves the headquarters.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_434356" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434356"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="6c654ab1"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/58d1064292f146524f4f973d34c3fae6.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-434356" class="wp-caption-text">Escorted by members of the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi, he got into the shuttle vehicle.</figcaption></figure>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="Amazing...Mr. Tsukasa exchanging words with Chairman of Sumiyoshi-kai."></div>
<figure id="attachment_434357" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434357"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="1b186125"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/73e84027995d3977e37bb57b5616afa0.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-434357" class="wp-caption-text">Tsukasa (center right) approaches the shuttle vehicle carrying Chairman Ogawa.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_434358" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434358"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="bcd78348"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/222a6bc60ee5227f5241864659e5f1ca.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-434358" class="wp-caption-text">Leaning slightly to look into the car, he exchanges words.</figcaption></figure>
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<figure id="attachment_434359" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434359"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="d4deb9a2"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/f956109787faee4983056ca1f3bd2025.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-434359" class="wp-caption-text">Tsukasa watches the shuttle vehicle depart.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_434360" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434360"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="3618c17c"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/9a8c8717e8515a588fec0aed1bb3999a.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-434360" class="wp-caption-text">After seeing them off, he returns to the headquarters.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_434361" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434361"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="308de4c1"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/08/5b3b9edcc8826fdd7004f07b9ddaa0d1.jpg" alt=""></a>Several minutes after Chairman Ogawa set off, Tsukasa emerges from the headquarters again. After getting into the shuttle vehicle, he is seen off by Wakagashira Takeuchi and others, and then leaves the headquarters.</figure>


 Tomoyuki Hanai

 The top leaders of Yamaguchigumi VI and Sumiyoshi-kai, two representative organizations of the world, met in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, to discuss the purpose of their meeting on August 27, a full decade after the split with Kobe Yamaguchigumi. Let's take a closer look at the inside story.

Inside the Secret Summit Between Japan’s Two Yakuza Giants

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