Sixth-Generation Yamaguchi-gumi Wakagashira Spotted on High-Profile Visit to Inagawa-kai Boss—A Show of Aggressive Outreach

Meeting with a famous yakuza boss in broad daylight

“He will be arriving soon!”

On a clear autumn day in mid-October, in a residential area of Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture, tension filled the air from early morning. At the office of the Kunii Family—an affiliate organization under the designated crime syndicate Matsuba-kai, which has its headquarters in this area—gang members in black suits and ties were moving in and out busily since dawn. After 11 a.m., senior members lined up in front of the building. More than 20 investigators from the local Ibaraki Prefectural Police, as well as the Chiba, Saitama, Tochigi, and Gunma prefectural police and the Metropolitan Police Department, stood guard around the site.

The loud voice heard at the beginning came at around 11:30 a.m. A motorcade of several luxury cars arrived in front of the building. Leading the group and entering the office first after stepping out of one vehicle was Takeyuchi Teruaki (65), the Wakagashira of the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi. Following him were accompanying senior members, and from a trailing vehicle emerged Sadakata Tomeyoshi, the Director-General of the Inagawa-kai, who entered the building along with his executives.

As the number two figure of the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi, every move made by Wakagashira Takeyuchi draws attention. What exactly was happening that day?

“It was a three-organization goodwill meeting between the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi, the Inagawa-kai—its allied group in the Kanto region—and the Matsuba-kai. The bosses of the groups do not attend; instead, four top executives from each organization gather to deepen their ties over lunch.

This meeting is held three times a year, with hosting duties rotating among the organizations. This time, it was the Matsuba-kai’s turn. Until last year, the meeting had been held in the building housing the Matsuba-kai’s headquarters in Taito Ward, Tokyo. However, in November of last year, the Tokyo District Court accepted the landowner’s claim in a lawsuit seeking the eviction of the Matsuba-kai from the building. As a result, it seems the venue was changed to the Kunii Family office this year.” (Yamaguchi-gumi insider)

The goodwill meeting began around 11:40 a.m. and lasted just over 30 minutes, until shortly after 12:10 p.m., including time spent with the Matsuba-kai executives who greeted and hosted the gathering.

After the meeting ended, Wakagashira Takeyuchi was the first to come out. With a calm expression, he smiled and said, “Thank you for your hospitality,” to the Matsuba-kai executives before getting into his car. Next came Inagawa-kai Director-General Sadakata, who also spoke pleasantly with Matsuba-kai leaders before boarding his vehicle and departing.

“Before the meeting, just before 11:30 a.m., a member of the Kodo-kai—likely part of the advance team—arrived and said, ‘We’re from the Kodo-kai. Thank you for having us today.’ In April this year, the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi declared the end of its split conflict, but it was a one-sided declaration, and the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi still exists. They are likely taking extreme precautions regarding Wakagashira Takeyuchi’s movements.” (Photographer covering the scene)

Younger members being promoted one after another into executive positions

Takeyuchi became the number-two Wakagashira of the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi on April 18 of this year, succeeding former Wakagashira Kiyoshi Takayama (78), who was known as the absolute commander of the organization. Prior to that, on April 7, the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi submitted a written pledge to the Hyogo Prefectural Police declaring the end of the feud.

Since taking office, Wakagashira Takeyuchi has been rapidly initiating organizational reforms, including bold moves to rejuvenate the executive lineup. On September 8, he stepped down from his concurrent position as chairman of his home organization, the Kodo-kai, handing the role to Wakagashira-hosas (assistant) Masahiro Nonai, while he himself assumed the role of President of the Fourth-generation Kodo-kai. The Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi is steadily building a solid structure that allows Takeyuchi to focus entirely on steering the organization.

“The current executive board, except for Wakagashira Takeyuchi and Shatei-gashira (younger brother boss) Utao Morio, consists of members who were promoted after the outbreak of the split conflict. The six Wakagashira-hosas serve as regional block leaders (including acting leaders), each overseeing one of six national regions. This structure balances the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi’s nationwide presence. Among the executives considered the gateway to becoming Wakagashira-hosa, three of the six promoted were promising young jikisans (direct retainers). After being stalled during the split conflict, the organization’s generational turnover is steadily advancing.

Of particular note is the significance of Wakagashira-hosa Nonai’s promotion to Kodo-kai chairman. Kodo-kai is the home organization of Kumichō Shinobu Tsukasa (83), former Wakagashira Takayama, and Wakagashira Takeyuchi. With Nonai’s appointment, a foundation has been laid to ensure that the Kodo-kai lineage continues within the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi.” (Journalist familiar with the yakuza world)

It is said that, traditionally, the Wakagashira of the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi rarely attended this three-organization goodwill meeting, but Takeyuchi reportedly attends every time. Within the industry, this is viewed as “Wakagashira Takeyuchi’s active diplomatic strategy.”

“Although the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi issued a declaration of ending the conflict, it was unilateral, and law enforcement has not relaxed its vigilance toward either organization. Takeyuchi’s continued proactive diplomacy with friendly groups is likely also a silent pressure tactic against the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi. In that sense, it cannot yet be said that the split conflict has truly ended.”
(Same journalist)

Originally, major personnel decisions within the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi are often finalized between autumn and mid-December. With reform-driven appointments continuing, will the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi now make its next move?