Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi Prepares for Leadership Transition After Conflict Ends

Executives Gather, with Advisor Takayama Kiyoshi Participating Personally

In mid-December, the headquarters of the sixth-generation Shimizu Family, a secondary group of the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi located in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, was wrapped in an unusual tension. While as many as 60 investigators from across the country, including the local Shizuoka police, were gathered on alert, the person who appeared in front of the stiffly standing sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi executives was Kumicho Tsukasa Shinobu (83).

“On this day, the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi’s ‘First Ceremony of the Year’ was held. Advisor Takayama Kiyoshi (78), who stepped down from the wakagashira position in April, also appeared, demonstrating that he is still active. After the ceremony, a traditional karaoke competition was held. Female companions also participated, performing songs such as Eigo Kawashima’s ‘Jidai Okure’ and Teresa Teng’s ‘Toki no Nagare ni Mi wo Makase,’ which seemed to liven up the event,” said a journalist familiar with Yamaguchi-gumi affairs.

The First Ceremony of the Year, which began around 9 a.m., ended before 2:30 p.m., including the karaoke competition. Seeing him off, Kumicho Tsukasa departed for home.

For the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi, ’25 was a tumultuous year. In April, they submitted a pledge to the Hyogo Prefectural Police to end all disputes with the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi, bringing an end to a split conflict that had lasted since ’15. This unilaterally drew a line under the ten-year conflict. Afterward, they rapidly carried out organizational rejuvenation, promoting eight members to the executive ranks within four months, including Teruaki Takeuchi (65) to wakagashira.

There were also noticeable changes in this year’s First Ceremony of the Year. Since the conflict intensified in ’19, it had been called the “Year-End Gathering,” but this year the name returned to the traditional “First Ceremony of the Year.” The attire was changed back from suits to traditional Japanese clothing. This return to origins reflected the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi’s desire to signal “the end of conflict” both internally and externally.

The combination of a forceful declaration ending the conflict and the rapid replacement of personnel points to the birth of the seventh generation.

“Since the establishment of the Tsukasa kumicho system in ’05, 20 years have passed, and moves toward succession are now beginning in earnest. Ending the conflict and rejuvenating the organization are part of that process.

Tsukasa will assume a new post as ‘sosai’ (supreme adviser), maintaining his influence while passing leadership to Wakagashira Takeuchi. In ’25 alone, the sosai system, which had never been recognized in subordinate groups, was introduced in five organizations, including the Kodokai, the core group of the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi. This was clearly groundwork for succession,” said a source connected to Yamaguchi-gumi-affiliated organizations.

In fact, just before the First Ceremony of the Year, information circulated that a successor would be appointed, prompting police authorities to investigate. No action ultimately took place, but a Metropolitan Police official commented, “We expect a change of leadership within ’26.”

“Investigators from the anti-crime division are gathering intelligence from Sumiyoshi-kai and Inagawa-kai contacts to probe internal developments. Tsukasa is approaching his mid-80s. Takeuchi’s active networking with other groups since becoming wakagashira seems like groundwork for becoming the seventh-generation kumicho. The external preparations are complete; an announcement could come at any time.”

Japan’s largest organized crime group is approaching a major turning point.

—From “FRIDAY” January 2, 9, and 16, 2026 combined issue