The Dawn of Reverse Breaking: The History of Soichi Nagaoka and the Yanagawa Group's Expansion into Hokkaido (Early 1960s)

The Dawn of Reverse Breaking: The History of Soichi Nagaoka and the Yanagawa Group's Expansion into Hokkaido (Early 1960s)

Jiro Yanagawa, who emerged as a unique gang leader during the expansion period of the Yamaguchigumi III, was the first zainichi Korean to enter the core of the Yamaguchigumi. Soichi Nagaoka appeared in Hokkaido in response to the expansion of Yanagawa's sphere of influence. In 1961, Nagaoka, a former boxer from Iwamizawa and a physical fitness expert with a background in judo, met a Yanagawa executive at a wrestling show in Sapporo and proceeded to organize the group in Hokkaido. In 1962, he attracted attention by taking the unprecedented step of reverse excommunication in order to compete with Ryuko Odaka, a prominent figure in the Hokkaido entertainment world. Nagaoka later formed the Doshikai, and as head of the Yanagawa-gumi Hokkaido branch, he expanded his influence based in Sapporo. However, he suddenly retired in 1965. The Hokkaido Doyushikai then changed its name to Seiyukai and grew to become the largest organization. The Yanagawa clan was dissolved in 1969, but the
network established by Nagaoka and Yanagawa left a definite mark on the Hokkaido underworld. The legendary reverse excommunication is still talked about today.