Kuniyasu Makino (real name: Chunseong Lee) is a second-generation zainichi Korean born in Japan in 1927. Raised amidst postwar confusion and discrimination, he entered the world of chivalry at a young age and lived a life of principle, rising to become the fifth president of the Matsuba-kai. His life was marked by a steadfast determination not to lose sight of his own path, despite the violent interplay between personal principles and the logic of the organization.

Kuniyasu Makino (real name: Chunseong Lee) is a second-generation zainichi Korean born in Japan in 1927. Raised amidst postwar confusion and discrimination, he entered the world of chivalry at a young age and lived a life of principle, rising to become the fifth president of the Matsuba-kai. His life was marked by a steadfast determination not to lose sight of his own path, despite the violent interplay between personal principles and the logic of the organization.

He first made his name with the Okubo family in the northern Kanto region, based in Gunma Prefecture, where he became the 10th president in 1970, a position that earned him the respect of the local bosses. Later, the Okubo family became an important part of the Fujitomo Rengokai, an association of influential organizations in the Kanto region, and its name quietly spread. In December 1993, he became the fifth chairman of the Matsuba-kai, an influential designated crime syndicate headquartered in the Kanto region. At this time, he was not merely a symbol of authority, but a man of integrity and respect for duty, and had built a strong reputation both inside and outside the organization.

The Matsuba-kai was founded after the war as the Sekine-gumi and has continued to operate from its base in Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo. Known for its relatively moderate stance, it was Makino who supported and strengthened its line. Under his leadership, the organization began to build community-based relationships while avoiding unnecessary conflicts.

His character is deeply portrayed in two works by Shigeki Yamadaira, "The Pine Tree of a Thousand Years" and "The Biography of the Fugaku Yakuza. In "The Pine Tree of a Thousand Years," Shigeki Yamadaira clearly describes the checkered trajectory of his life from his youth to his appointment as president of the Yakuza. The central themes of the book are the view of chivalry cultivated in the midst of poverty and discrimination, and the attitude of living according to one's own convictions without betraying one's comrades. On the other hand, "Fugaku Yakuza Den" highlights Makino's refusal to run away even after his release from prison, and his continued standing in the face of the organization even in the face of hardship. The phrase "sacrifice and loyalty" was not just a virtue, but for him, a way of life itself.

One event that symbolizes this spirit is the Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission hearing that took place in February 1994. This was part of the procedure to officially designate Matsuba-kai as a designated organized crime group. Normally, the hearing would have been attended by a representative or lawyer, but Makino went to the hearing himself and answered the questions in an upfront and dignified manner. We also do public work," he said. We are not making an enemy of the public," he said, leaving a deep impression on those in the audience.

His response at the hearing symbolized that Makino was a chivalrous man who would not run away from his work until the very end. The way he showed his conviction not with his words, but with his actions, had a great impact both inside and outside of the industry. His subordinates were unanimous in saying that they had "seen the spirit" in the attitude of their boss at that time.

Kuniyasu Makino's life was not limited to the gangster business, but was filled with human conviction and pride. He was not proud of his violence or his power, but of his survival in a world of duty and humanity, which still raises questions about the true nature of ninkyo. The life of a man who grew up in discrimination, fostered faith in isolation, and continued to live by it is a light that will remain in the memories of many people.