Yakuza

Updated 30 October 2026 · Fan site. Not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.

The Yakuza are the Japanese crime syndicate of Grand Theft Auto. Small Yakuza gangs appear in the 1997 original and GTA 2, but the best-known version is the Kasen family of 3D-era Liberty City. Asuka and Kenji Kasen hire Claude in GTA III (2001), while Liberty City Stories (2005) shows the downfall of their brother Kazuki.

Who are the Yakuza in GTA?

The Yakuza are a Japanese organised crime group, and Grand Theft Auto has used the name for gangs in both of its early eras. They are separate groups in separate universes rather than one family across the whole series. Most players know them through the Kasen siblings, who run the Yakuza in the 3D version of Liberty City.

Were the Yakuza in the 2D games?

Yes. GTA Wiki lists a minor Yakuza gang in the Sunview district of San Andreas in the original Grand Theft Auto, released in Europe on 28 November 1997 according to Wikipedia. The wiki says it feuds with El Burro's gang and that its limousines feature in two missions. No leader is named.

Grand Theft Auto 2 (October 1999) gives them a much bigger role. GTA Wiki says its Yakuza run the Downtown District of Anywhere City under Johnny Zoo, deal in gambling, drugs and illegal lab work, drive Miara sports cars and are at war with the Zaibatsu Corporation and the Loonies. Claude Speed can take jobs from them.

Who are the Kasen family?

The Kasens lead the 3D-era Yakuza. According to GTA Wiki, Kazuki Kasen is the regional boss in 1998 and is married to Toshiko Kasen. His sister and brother, Asuka Kasen and Kenji Kasen, return to Liberty City after his death and lead the gang together. GTA Wiki credits Lianna Pai as Asuka's voice in GTA III and Les J.N. Mau as Kenji's. The gang car is the Yakuza Stinger.

What happens to the Yakuza in Liberty City Stories?

Liberty City Stories came out on the PSP on 25 October 2005 in North America and is set in 1998. Wikipedia says Salvatore Leone hears that the Yakuza are stockpiling military weapons. Toshiko, described there as Kazuki's neglected wife, then hires Toni Cipriani to sabotage her husband's business. Toni ends up killing Kazuki in self-defence, and Toshiko takes her own life.

GTA Wiki adds that the confrontation happens on the roof of Kazuki's casino and that the Yakuza are hostile to Toni from the mission Shogun Showdown onwards. Kenji appears only by name in this game, through promotional material.

What do the Yakuza do in GTA III?

In Grand Theft Auto III (23 October 2001), Asuka shelters Maria and Claude after Salvatore's car bomb plot. Wikipedia says that once Claude kills Salvatore to cut ties with the Mafia, he begins working for the Yakuza. GTA Wiki lists Kenji's jobs: stealing sports cars, ambushing a Cartel deal with the Yardies, collecting protection money and hitting SPANK dealers. Kenji runs his own casino in Torrington, on the site of Kazuki's old one.

The alliance unravels through Donald Love. Wikipedia says Love asks Claude to kill Kenji and make it look like a Cartel attack, to start a gang war. GTA Wiki names the mission Waka-Gashira Wipeout! and says Claude drives a Cartel Cruiser to sell the disguise. Asuka goes to war with the Cartel and tortures the gang member Miguel for information. Wikipedia says Catalina then kills Asuka and Miguel and kidnaps Maria, which leads into the final mission covered on our Catalina page.

Are the Yakuza friendly to Claude in GTA III?

For most of the game, yes. GTA Wiki notes they are one of the few gangs that stay on Claude's side, which matters on Staunton Island, where their members would otherwise be armed street enemies. Kenji tests Claude first by having him break a Yakuza member named Kanbu out of police custody. Asuka also puts Claude in touch with the corrupt detective Ray Machowski, who becomes his next contact. GTA Wiki adds that Asuka lives in a condo in Newport on Staunton Island and that she is an old friend of Maria's.

Killing Kenji has a side effect for players chasing a full save. GTA Wiki says that if you reach Waka-Gashira Wipeout! before finishing all of Kenji's missions, the remaining ones are lost and 100% completion is no longer possible.

Are the Yakuza in GTA Advance?

Yes. Grand Theft Auto Advance, released on 26 October 2004 for the Game Boy Advance and set in 2000, has Mike work for the Yakuza under Asuka. Wikipedia says the Yakuza later help him attack King Courtney's hideout. GTA Wiki says Asuka hires Mike after he rescues her niece Yuka, and that the gang lost its Big Shot Casino by this point.