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Yamaguchi-gumi (Japanese: 山口組) has been known as Japan's largest boryokudan (analogous to a western Mafia family). Estimates put the number of active members at 20,000, with another 15,000 people having strong associations. It is, by far, the largest of the yakuza groups, and its membership encompasses roughly a third of all yakuza. The Yamaguchi-gumi has its headquarters in Kobe, Japan, but it operates all across Japan, and also has overseas operations in Asia and the United States.
Leadership
- 1st (1915-1925) Kumicho: Yamaguchi Harukichi
- 2nd (1925-1942) Kumicho: Yamaguchi Noboru - son of Yamaguchi Harukichi
- 3rd (1946-1981) Kumicho: Taoka Kazuo
- 4th (1984-1985) Kumicho: Takenaka Masahisa
After death of great Taoka, heir apparent was then wakagashira (mafia's underboss) Kenichi Yamamoto, who was serving sentence in prison. However, he dies of lever failure shortly after death of Taoka. In order to avoid inner conflict, it was decided to name then wakagashira-hosa (deputy underboss) Hiroshi Yamamoto(Yamahiro) as acting boss and another wakagashira-hosa Masahisa Takenaka as underboss temporarily.
This decision simply postponed the question who would inherit as boss and organization was started to be devided into two groups, which was led by Yamahiro and Takenaka respectively. Generally, group led by Yamahiro consisted of many of old and rich captains and group led by Takenaka consisted of young and ambitious captains.
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