Kenichi Yamamoto (yakuza)

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Kenichi Yamamoto
Born	March 5, 1925 Chūō-ku, Kobe, Japan
Died	February 4, 1982

Kenichi Yamamoto (山本健一, Yamamoto Kenichi^?, March 5, 1925 – February 4, 1982) was the founder of the Yamaken-gumi yakuza gang, who were based in Kobe, Japan. It is the largest affiliate of the Yamaguchi-gumi.

Yamamoto was the eldest son in his family. His father was an engineer working for Kawasaki Heavy Industries. In 1942, he graduated from Osaka Electric School,^{[citation needed]} where he worked shortly in the Yokosuka Naval Yard before being enlisted into the Japanese military Tottori Unit in January 1945.

After the war ended, Yamamoto returned to Kobe. He met up with Hara Masao who was an affiliate of the Yamaguchi-gumi. He was involved in attacking Koji Tsuruta in January 1953 and was arrested. Shortly after, he was involved with attacking the Tanizaki-gumi in September, 1954 which he was imprisoned for 3 years in Kakogawa prison. After being released, he received praise from Kazuo Taoka.

He then formed the Yamaken-gumi in 1961.