-
The Yamaguchi-Gumi clan is founded
The Yamaguchi-Gumi clan was founded in 1915 by Harukichi Yamaguchi who would remain Godfather for 10 years, until 1925, when he was succeeded by his son Noboru Yamaguchi. -
Period: to
2nd Godfather: Noboru Yamaguchi
Harukichi's son Noboru ruled from 1925-1942, and would be succeeded by Kazuo Taoka in 1946. -
Period: to
3rd Godfather: Kazuo Taoka
The Yamaguchi-Gumi clan was a nothing more than a local crime organization until Kazuo Taoka took control. Kazuo expanded the gang out of Kobe and into Osaka and Yokohama -
Absorption of the Honda-kai
The Honda-kai were a "Bakuto" gang, which means they were primarily focused on illegal gambling. They formed an alliance with the Yamaguchi-gumi clan following WWII, but were soon absorbed into the syndicate, unable to act independently. -
Takeover of the Meiyu-kai's territory in Osaka
Kazuo Taoka overtook parts of the Meiyu-kai (A Korean Gang) in order to expand into Osaka -
Period: to
4th Godfather: Masahisa Takenaka
Masahisa Takenaka was selected to take Kazuo's position by a council of 8 bosses, dissenting with their decision, another candidate took 3,000 strong members of the Yamaguchi-Gumi family and formed the Ichiwa-kai -
Assassination of Masahisa Takenaka
In 1985 the Ichiwa-kai family executed an assassination on the current godfather of the Yamaguchi-Gumi family Masahisa Takenaka. This would lead to the Yama-ichi war between the two families. -
Period: to
5th Godfather: Yoshinori Watanabe
Yoshinori Watanabe worked alongside several other high ranking family members to lead the family during the Yama-ichi war, following the close of the war he was officially named "kumicho" (Godfather) however his position as Godfather was somewhat overshadowed by the second in command, Masaru Takumi. -
Watanabe retires to private life
In 2005 Yoshinori retired from his position as Godfather to live a private life, which is extremely uncommon in the Yakuza, leaving control of the family to his newly appointed wakagashira: Shinobu Tsukasa. -
Period: to
6th Godfather: Shinobu Tsukasa
Shinobu Tsukasa is the current Godfather of the Yamaguchi-Gumi family, as time goes on laws restricting the power, influence, and freedom of the Yakuza have continued to increase in number and strictness. However Tsukasa still continues to expand the organization whenever possible.