Called a companion and sang karaoke…Direct participants gathered from all over the country for the “birthday celebration” of Yamaguchigumi VI and Yamaguchigumi leader Shinobu Tsukasa.

Listening with satisfaction to the karaoke of the gang members. ……

“They can see us!”

A little past 4:00 p.m. on the evening of January 25, a strange atmosphere enveloped the headquarters of the 10th Seto Family, a direct affiliate of the 6th Yamaguchigumi, in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture. The executives of the executive committee, including Shomei Takeuchi, 65, a young leader, were lined up in white ties and black suits. They were surrounded by local Aichi Prefectural Police investigators who were on the lookout and providing security.

After a loud voice announced the arrival of the senior members, a black Mercedes Benz with two escort vehicles in the front and rear entered the headquarters compound. Getting out slowly from the backseat was Shinobu Tsukasa, the head of the Shinobi clan.

It was the 84th birthday of the boss. Last April, the Yamaguchigumi VI submitted a written pledge, albeit unilaterally, to the Hyogo Prefectural Police to end the 10-year-long conflict, and this was the first birthday celebration since the end of the conflict. Advisor Seiji Takayama (78) was also present.

Singing could be heard outside the headquarters, so karaoke and other celebratory activities must have taken place. The atmosphere was such that the war was a thing of the past,” said a journalist familiar with the yakuza industry.

The boss looked relaxed and casual in a black hat, sunglasses, and a stole around his neck. He entered the headquarters hall with a smile and words of encouragement to the direct members, who greeted him with tense expressions on their faces.

The karaoke songs heard included Eigo Kawashima’s “Sake to Tears, Man and Woman” and Saburo Kitajima’s “Kita no Fishery,” but there was also a woman singing Seiko Matsuda. Some of the women sang Seiko Matsuda. It seems that they also invited companions. After a wagon that appeared to be carrying a companion entered the premises, the shutters were closed. They seemed to be very careful not to let anyone know who was in the wagon,” said a photographer who covered the event.

According to the journalist mentioned above, “The head of the Tsukasa group showed off his proud throat at last month’s kagae, but this time he seemed content to listen to the singing of the band.

Just before 7:00 p.m., with karaoke still audible, the head of the Tsukasa clan came out of the hall, accompanied by his executives. He was not wearing sunglasses, and his slightly reddish face was smiling. As the immediate attendees saw him off, he headed home, followed by Advisor Takayama and Wakao Takeuchi. The birthday celebration ended without a hitch after 7:00 pm.

Appointment of up-and-coming young gang leaders

This year may be a year of more change for Yamaguchigumi VI than last year.

Last April, the Yamaguchigumi VI unilaterally issued a written pledge to the authorities to end the feud. Immediately after that, Advisor Takayama, who was a young leader at the time, appointed Mr. Takeuchi, who was an assistant young leader, as his successor. Under the influence of Advisor Takayama, the foundation of the young Takeuchi regime is steadily being built.

On January 25th, the same day as Mr. Tsukasa’s birthday, the members of the Committee for Celebration and Condolence and the Organizing Committee were notified to the members. The congratulation and condolence committee members are responsible not only for congratulation and condolence matters within the organization, but also for diplomacy with other organizations. The Organizing Committee members are also expected to play a role in judicial affairs, such as fighting investigative authorities, which are both important positions.

The one newly appointed to the organizing committee and the four newly appointed to the congratulation and condolence committee are all up-and-coming young group leaders who were promoted directly to the position after being replaced within the last year. Moreover, four of the five members were succeeded by their predecessors through the “presidential system” introduced the year before last. It can be said that this is a personnel change that gave the impression that metabolism will continue in the future.

The war with rival groups such as the Kobe Yamaguchigumi also continues in reality. Police authorities have extended the designation of the three rival groups and the Yamaguchigumi VI as designated gangs for specific conflicts; none of the three groups have reported their dissolution, and some groups have been confirmed to have issued guidelines for this year’s group.

Amidst the eerie silence, the foundation for the young Takeuchi regime is steadily being laid.