Kiyoshi Takayama is one of the most powerful modern figures associated with Yamaguchi-gumi.
His importance comes from the intersection of two structures: the Nagoya-based Kodo-kai and the national Yamaguchi-gumi federation.
Kodo-kai
Takayama rose through Kodo-kai, the organization closely associated with Shinobu Tsukasa.
When Tsukasa became sixth-generation boss of Yamaguchi-gumi, the influence of Kodo-kai expanded dramatically inside the parent syndicate.
The U.S. Treasury identified Takayama as Yamaguchi-gumi’s deputy leader when sanctioning him in 2012.
That status made him one of the clearest examples of an affiliate boss becoming a central power broker inside a much larger criminal federation.
Police attention
Japanese authorities repeatedly emphasized Kodo-kai when discussing strategies to weaken Yamaguchi-gumi.
The logic was straightforward.
If Kodo-kai supplied key leadership and financial strength to the parent syndicate, pressure on the affiliate could affect the entire organization.
Takayama therefore became a major law-enforcement target.
Teruaki Takeuchi
After Takayama’s period at the top of Kodo-kai, Teruaki Takeuchi became chairman.
The U.S. Treasury described Takeuchi as a close adviser to Takayama and highlighted the continuing importance of the relationship between Kodo-kai leadership and the wider Yamaguchi-gumi hierarchy.
The 2015 split
Takayama’s influence is also essential context for the 2015 Yamaguchi-gumi Split.
The growing power of the Tsukasa/Takayama/Kodo-kai bloc was one of the institutional tensions surrounding the departure of major Kobe-centered affiliates.
That makes Takayama a direct bridge between: – Kodo-kai – Shinobu Tsukasa – Yamaguchi-gumi – Kunio Inoue – Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi – the 2015 split
Why Takayama matters
Takayama is not simply another senior gangster profile.
His career helps explain how internal power shifted from older Kobe-centered factions toward Nagoya-linked leadership.
Without that context, the modern Yamaguchi-gumi fracture appears sudden.
With Takayama in the graph, the structural logic becomes much clearer.
Sources
– [U.S. Treasury — Imposes Sanctions on Key Members of the Yakuza](https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/tg1430) — Official designation of Kiyoshi Takayama as Yamaguchi-gumi deputy leader. – [U.S. Treasury — Further Targets the Yakuza](https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jl10032) — Official description of Kodo-kai, Takayama and Teruaki Takeuchi. – [Japan National Police Agency — White Paper 2017, Measures against Organized Crime](https://www.npa.go.jp/hakusyo/h29/english/p30-31_WHITE_PAPER_2017_E_30.pdf) — Official NPA discussion of the post-2015 Yamaguchi-gumi split and violence.
Key events
2015 Yamaguchi-gumi Split
The story of the 2015 breakaway that created Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi and permanently reshaped the modern Japanese organized-crime map.
People, groups and places
Collectibles & memorabilia
Explore monetized Amazon results connected to Kiyoshi Takayama. Curated items appear first when available.
Search Amazon for related collectibles ↗As an Amazon Associate, RoguesBook earns from qualifying purchases.
References
-
[1]Measures against Rokudaime Yamaguchi-gumi and Kobe Yamaguchi-gumiTier 1SupportsView source ↗
-
[2]White Paper on Police 2017 — Situation of Organized Crime GroupsTier 1SupportsView source ↗
-
[3]White Paper on Police 2023 — Organized Crime GroupsTier 1SupportsView source ↗
-
[4]White Paper on Police 2025 — Organized Crime CountermeasuresTier 1SupportsView source ↗
-
[5]Treasury Imposes Sanctions on Key Members of the Yakuza and Brothers’ CircleTier 1MentionsSupportsView source ↗
-
[6]Japan National Police Agency — 2013 White Paper, Yamaguchi-gumi situationTier 2SupportsView source ↗
-
[7]Japan National Police Agency — 2017 White Paper, Measures against Organized CrimeTier 2SupportsView source ↗
-
[8]Japan National Police Agency — Police of Japan 2021, Designated Boryokudan GroupsTier 2SupportsView source ↗
-
[9]Japan National Police Agency — White Paper 2012, Measures against Yamaguchi-gumi/Kodo-kaiTier 2SupportsView source ↗
-
[10]Japan National Police Agency — White Paper 2015Tier 2SupportsView source ↗
-
[11]Japan National Police Agency — White Paper 2017Tier 2SupportsView source ↗
-
[12]Japan National Police Agency — White Paper 2017, Measures against Organized CrimeTier 2SupportsMentionsView source ↗
-
[13]Yamaguchi-gumi Split Signals Changes in the Yakuza WorldTier 2SupportsView source ↗
-
[14]U.S. Department of the Treasury — Targets New Yakuza SyndicateTier 2SupportsView source ↗
-
[15]U.S. Treasury — Further Targets the YakuzaTier 2MentionsSupportsView source ↗