Teruaki Takeuchi of the Sixth Yamaguchi-gumi Visits Inagawa Hall With Executives in Broad Daylight in Yokohama

In late February, Kanagawa Prefecture’s Yokohama City enjoyed weather reminiscent of the first spring breeze. Around 11 a.m., the bustling Shin-Yokohama Station—filled with hurried office workers and inbound tourists—suddenly became tense. A group of burly men in ties and suits emerged from the Shinkansen ticket gates. Leading them was Teruaki Takeuchi, Wakagashira (No. 2) of the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi, aged 66. Surrounding him were officers from the Kanagawa Prefectural Police maintaining vigilance. The station was enveloped in an unusual atmosphere of tension.

What was happening at Shin-Yokohama Station, one of the Kanto region’s major terminal stations—

“The purpose of Wakagashira Takeuchi’s visit was to attend a tri-group social gathering held at the Inagawa-kai’s headquarters, the Inagawa Kaikan, located in the suburbs of Yokohama. The sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi holds social gatherings three times a year with affiliated groups in the Kanto region: the Inagawa-kai and the Matsuba-kai. The hosting rotates, and this time it was the Inagawa-kai. Each group sends four top executives below the number two, and the meeting is literally to deepen social ties while having lunch,” explained a journalist familiar with the yakuza industry.

In front of the Inagawa Kaikan, about 20 investigators from the Kanagawa Prefectural Police, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, and the Hyogo, Gunma, and Ibaraki prefectural police were on alert from early morning. Every time the massive iron doors of the Kaikan opened, they scrutinized vehicle movements with sharp attention.

Inagawa-kai members line up to greet

“They’re in sight!”

With the voices of the welcoming Inagawa-kai members, the convoy carrying Wakagashira Takeuchi arrived at the Kaikan shortly after 11:30 a.m. Amid the greeting by the lined-up Inagawa-kai members, Takeuchi stepped out from the rear seat of the car. Since it was a routine meeting, his expression was relaxed as he exchanged words with the welcoming Inagawa-kai President Sadakata and other executives before entering the Kaikan. Almost simultaneously, the Matsuba-kai convoy also arrived. The social gathering began around 11:45 a.m.

“It seems they ate the prepared boxed lunches while only the attending members from the three groups were present, as usual. From the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi, attendees included Wakagashira Takeuchi, Headquarters Chief Noboru Yamashita, Wakagashira Assistant Mitsuo Sato, and Executive Shizuo Sugiyama. From Matsuba-kai, there were four executives including President Koji Seki. The Inagawa-kai welcomed them with four top executives, including President Sadakata. By around 12:20 p.m., the attendees, including Wakagashira Takeuchi, finished lunch and exited the Kaikan,” said a local photojournalist.

Accompanied by President Sadakata, Wakagashira Takeuchi, unusually smiling, exchanged a few words before entering the waiting car. Amid the salutes of lined-up members, he departed from the Kaikan. The Matsuba-kai executives’ convoy followed, and the meeting concluded smoothly by around 12:30 p.m.

One year has passed as Wakagashira

In April of this year, Wakagashira Takeuchi will mark a full year since his appointment as Wakagashira. The relaxed, calm expression he showed at the meeting was a sight that even FRIDAY Digital, after years of coverage, had rarely seen.

“He likely feels a sense of pride in having carried the heavy responsibilities of the Wakagashira role over the past year,” said the previously mentioned journalist.

“Former Wakagashira, Counselor Kiyoshi Takayama (78), who was feared as the ‘absolute commander, still holds strong influence within the organization. Under that influence, Takeuchi has implemented reform personnel decisions internally, such as rejuvenating the executive ranks, and externally has carried out diplomacy with other groups, as seen in this meeting. He also attended the funeral of former Gotou-gumi leader Tadamasa Gotou as a representative of Kumicho Shinobu Tsukasa, fulfilling his duties for unexpected events. The solid foundation of the ‘Takeuchi Wakagashira system’ is steadily progressing. Though still midway, the experience of serving as a senior executive for a year likely gives him greater composure.”

At the same time, voices in the circles insist that the conflict with the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi has by no means ended.

“The April declaration last year of the conflict’s end was merely a unilateral submission of a written pledge to the police authorities. By forcibly putting a period to the conflict, the opposing Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi and two other groups have yet to file dissolution notices, and the police have not lifted their designation as specified organized crime groups for the three groups and the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi. The current ‘triple designation’ remains. By continuing meetings with other groups as seen this time, the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi may aim to gradually establish the conflict’s end as a fait accompli,” the same source added.

Amid an eerie state of tension and strict police vigilance, the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi is advancing the foundation of the Takeuchi Wakagashira system. Within the industry, there are whispers that this could be leading toward the succession of the seventh-generation kumicho soon. Carrying the sense of foreboding turbulence, the Takeuchi Wakagashira system enters its second year this April—.