Yamaguchi-gumi Boss Shinobu Tsukasa Meets Sumiyoshi-kai Leader in Broad Daylight

The Meaning Behind Tsukasa’s Smile

In early December, as the year’s end approached, a tense atmosphere filled the quiet residential area in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, surrounding the headquarters of the Eleventh Hirai Family, a direct affiliate of the Sixth-Generation Yamaguchi-gumi. Dozens of investigators from the local Aichi police and the Metropolitan Police Department were stationed, their watchful eyes fixed every time the large gate shutter opened and closed.

“A major Kanto-based organization, the Sumiyoshi-kai, led by Chairman Osamu Ogawa and top executives, visited the Sixth-Generation Yamaguchi-gumi to extend seasonal greetings. Twice a year, in summer and around this time, affiliated and friendly groups from across Japan come to the Sixth-Generation Yamaguchi-gumi for similar seasonal visits.

On December 1, top leaders (some represented by proxies) from the Inagawa-kai, Matsuba-kai, and Soai-kai, all Kanto-based affiliates and friends, visited the direct Yamaguchi-gumi organization in Shizuoka City. On the 2nd, leaders from five friendly organizations in western Japan visited the Seto City affiliate.

Although the Sumiyoshi-kai is not a relative group, the close personal relationship between the previous chairman and Tsukasa Shinobu (83) has maintained friendly ties to this day,” explained a journalist familiar with the yakuza world.

Shortly before noon, as the gate shutter opened, three cars arrived, with Tsukasa descending from the middle Mercedes-Benz, flanked by guards, to welcome Chairman Ogawa and his delegation.

Around 12:30 p.m., the Sumiyoshi-kai delegation arrived. The shutter closed immediately, hiding the meeting from view, but when it reopened minutes later, Tsukasa was seen smiling warmly, conversing, and seeing them off. Tsukasa had also been present at the Kanto affiliates’ visit on the 1st, smiling throughout the day.

“For the Sixth-Generation Yamaguchi-gumi, which promotes peaceful coexistence in the yakuza world, these biannual visits symbolize diplomatic relations. This year, with the official end of the internal split conflict, marks a milestone year for the Sixth-Generation Yamaguchi-gumi. Their diplomatic strategies with other groups will likely carry even more weight moving forward,” said the journalist.

Tsukasa’s expressions over consecutive days suggested a sense of satisfaction that diplomacy had proceeded smoothly.

The paid edition of FRIDAY GOLD includes extensive photos revealing the behind-the-scenes of the Sumiyoshi-kai seasonal visit, as well as an analysis of the ongoing split conflict with the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi.