Top Yamaguchi-gumi Leaders Convene in Broad Daylight; Boss Tsukasa Appears in Traditional Dress

On December 13, the largest yakuza group in Japan, the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi, held their “Koto Hajime” ceremony at their secondary organization, the Shimizu-kai, in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture. This year, the atmosphere was noticeably different from last year. Boss Tsukasa Shin (83), underboss Teruaki Takeuchi (65), advisor Kiyoshi Takayama (78), along with top executives and regional lieutenants from across the country, all attended dressed in formal kimono and hakama. This marked a stark contrast to the previous years’ attire of formal suits and white ties.

“‘Koto Hajime’ is the group’s most important annual event, reflecting on the past year and reaffirming the unity between the boss and members for the year ahead. So, this formal attire is the traditional style. Since the outbreak of the split conflict with the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi, the ceremony had been conducted under the name ‘Nōkai,’ a year-end gathering to acknowledge members’ efforts, due to the emergency situation. However, after the declaration of the conflict’s end in April, restoring the ‘Koto Hajime’ name and traditional format likely served to signal both internally and externally that the hostilities were over,” said a journalist familiar with the yakuza world.

The revival of the “Koto Hajime” name comes for the first time in seven years, reflecting just how tumultuous 2025 was for the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi.

Behind the Scenes of the Split Conflict Ending

The biggest turning point was, of course, the declaration in April that the split conflict had ended. The split conflict with the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi erupted in August 2015. After a prolonged stalemate, this April—nearly ten years later—a unilateral pledge to end the conflict was submitted to the Hyogo Prefectural Police.

“There was groundwork for submitting the pledge. Kazuya Uchibori, president of the Inagawa-kai, a related group of the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi, drafted a request for ending the conflict after obtaining internal approval from the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi, and then went around friendly groups of the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi nationwide to obtain their agreement.

The Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi could not simply end the conflict while Kunio Inoue, head of the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi (77), was still active. However, if there were requests from other groups, a compromise point could be created. In April, the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi agreed to the request, and with the support of friendly groups, the submission of the pledge was carried out in one go.” (Source: Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi insider)

The pledge was submitted on the foundation of having obtained the support of friendly groups. It can be said that this reflected the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi’s thorough preparedness.

This year marks 20 years under Kumicho Tsukasa’s leadership. While voices suggesting that Wakagashira Takeuchi should succeed as the 7th head remain strong, next year, the group’s movements will likely be closely watched not only within the industry but also by law enforcement and other parties.

“Takeuchi Wakagashira is highly likely to become the 7th kumicho, but the issue will be the next wakagashira personnel after that. Ordinarily, it would be the current head of the Kodokai, but he has been Wakagashira Hosa of the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi for less than a year, so many feel it is too early. Perhaps the Takeuchi Wakagashira system will continue for a while.” (Source: previously cited journalist)

Next year, attention will focus even more on executive personnel decisions, along with the future of the stalemated split conflict.

The paid edition of FRIDAY GOLD features numerous photos of the “Business Beginning” ceremony and also reports on the succession process being advanced by the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi.