In broad daylight in a residential neighborhood with a top executive of the Sumiyoshi-kai… Yamaguchi-gumi’s Sixth-Generation Leader Shinobu Tsukasa: “Proactive Diplomacy with Famous Yakuza”—A Look at the Front Lines

“The moment the main gate’s shutter opened, Group Leader Shinobu Tsukasa (84), dressed in a white suit, caught my eye as senior members in dark navy suits and ties stood at attention watching. With his overwhelming presence, he was so energetic in his interactions that it was hard to believe this was the final day of the three-day meeting.”

The designated organized crime group, the 6th-generation Yamaguchi-gumi, holds a seasonal greeting gathering every year in early July, inviting affiliated and friendly groups from across the country for three days. On the first day this year, four groups from eastern Japan, including the Inagawa-kai, visited the venue of a secondary organization in Shizuoka Prefecture.On the second day, five groups from western Japan—including the 8th-generation Aizu Kogane—visited the venue of a secondary organization in Aichi Prefecture to offer their greetings. On this third day, the Sumiyoshi-kai visited the venue of another secondary organization in Aichi Prefecture to do the same.Although the Sumiyoshi-kai is not an affiliated or friendly organization, exchanges between the two groups have continued due to ties between the late Chairman Isao Seki and Group Leader Tsukasa, and the Sumiyoshi-kai makes an annual visit for the seasonal greetings.

The opening comment comes from a photographer who covered the secondary group at the venue. He continues with his account of the day’s events.

“Investigators from the local Aichi Prefectural Police, as well as the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the Hyogo Prefectural Police, and the Kyoto Prefectural Police, were on security duty. The shutters were closed except for vehicles coming and going, so we couldn’t see inside, but Group Leader Tsukasa’s motorcade arrived just before noon.Just before 12:30 p.m., the shutters opened, and we could see Group Leader Tsukasa seeing off the Sumiyoshi-kai executives as they departed.

He was talking while placing his hand on the rear door of the car carrying the executives. Near Group Leader Tsukasa, we could also see Vice-Chief Shomei Takeuchi (66) and executive Masahiro Nouchi; after seeing them off, Group Leader Tsukasa entered the building while chatting and laughing with his executive members. It was a friendly atmosphere.”

“Group Leader Tsukasa’s Calculations” as He Engages in Diplomatic Efforts

A journalist well-versed in the Sixth-Generation Yamaguchi-gumi spoke about the three-day “seasonal greetings” event.

“Leaders and top executives from each organization visited together. On the first and second days, since the groups were relatives and friendly organizations, I think things went smoothly as usual. However, on the third day, with Sumiyoshi-kai Chairman Shuji Ogawa currently under arrest and in custody, there was a lot of attention on who would come to offer greetings.A total of five top executives, including Assistant Chairman Hideki Kojima, made the trip. Since that meeting also appears to have gone smoothly, it’s likely that exchanges between the two organizations will continue.”

This is the first time this website has captured a glimpse of Group Leader Tsukasa in about half a year, since his “birthday celebration” held this past January. Although he is already approaching his mid-80s, his influence remains as strong as ever.

“Since unilaterally bringing an end to the ‘split conflict’ with the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi last April, the Sixth-Generation Yamaguchi-gumi has been aggressively implementing personnel changes to rejuvenate the organization under Wakagashira Takeuchi.In particular, the introduction of a ‘presidential system’ across its five affiliated groups represents a major change and is seen as a prelude to its eventual adoption within the Sixth-Generation Yamaguchi-gumi itself.

There are whispers that Group Leader Tsukasa will ascend to the president position while he is still in good health, ushering in a ‘Seventh Generation’ with Vice-Leader Takeuchi as the boss. That said, Group Leader Tsukasa is a ‘figure above the clouds’ who holds the position for life. His proactive stance toward his own celebratory events and diplomatic engagements hints at his desire to demonstrate that he is still going strong” (ibid.).

Amid a stalemate in the factional conflict, the Sixth-Generation Yamaguchi-gumi is steadily working to build relationships with other organizations.