The decision to recast Goh Hamazaki in the upcoming Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties remake wasn’t made lightly, according to director Ryosuke Horii. In a recent interview, Horii addressed the controversy surrounding the casting of Teruyuki Kagawa, who has faced accusations of sexual assault, explaining the creative rationale behind the choice, and attempting to quell the online backlash that includes a fan petition calling for a recasting.
“Hamazaki is a sleazy, persistent, and militant yakuza, right?” Horii explained, as translated by IGN. “Since he isn’t an explosive character like Kanda, when we tried to think of someone who makes you go, ‘This guy’s a creep,’ naturally it was Kagawa – that was the main factor.” He further elaborated that Kagawa’s acting style, even in seemingly mundane scenes, possesses a “slimy feel” that he believed would bring a unique freshness to the role.
The casting of Kagawa, initially announced last year, immediately sparked outrage among fans of the Yakuza series. The controversy stems from a 2022 report in the Japanese magazine Shukan Shincho alleging that Kagawa sexually harassed a female employee at a club in Tokyo’s Ginza district in 2019. The report detailed accusations of unwanted physical contact, including the removal of a hostess’s bra and groping, supported by quotes from the alleged victim and photographic evidence. Kagawa issued an apology on a Japanese current affairs program, though he did not explicitly confirm the details of the allegations. His agency subsequently released a statement acknowledging “careless behavior” that caused displeasure to the woman, stating that Kagawa had expressed remorse and sought forgiveness.
Despite the lack of criminal charges filed against Kagawa, the allegations led to repercussions. Tokyo Broadcasting System Television removed him as a host from “The Time,” and Toyota suspended and ultimately cancelled a series of advertising campaigns featuring the actor.
Horii’s comments represent the first direct response from the development team regarding the casting decision. He also addressed the recasting of Rikiya Shimabukuro, who will now be played by Show Kasamatsu. While he stated the studio considered avoiding recasting to sidestep online criticism, they ultimately “felt there was no use being afraid” and prioritized finding actors they were excited to work with.
The recasting of Hamazaki has also prompted discussion about the character’s physicality. In the original Yakuza 4, Hamazaki is depicted as a physically imposing figure with significant combat skills. The change in actors raises questions about how these aspects of the character will be adapted in the remake, particularly given Kagawa’s different build and presence. Fans have pointed to this shift as a further reason for concern, arguing it fundamentally alters a key element of Hamazaki’s established persona.
The debate surrounding Kagawa’s casting reflects a broader conversation within the entertainment industry about accountability and the consequences of alleged misconduct. While Horii framed the decision as a purely artistic one, focused on finding an actor who embodied the character’s unsettling nature, it’s clear the studio was aware of the potential for backlash and attempted to justify their choice in light of the serious allegations against Kagawa.
Currently, a petition is circulating online urging Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio to reconsider the casting and restore the original actor to the role. The petition highlights the perceived disconnect between Kagawa’s appearance and the established character design, arguing it diminishes Hamazaki’s impact within the narrative.
As of now, Sega has not announced any plans to remake Yakuza 4, leaving the future of the series’ Kiwami adaptations uncertain. However, the strong fan base and critical acclaim of the Yakuza franchise suggest that a Kiwami version of Yakuza 4 remains a possibility, and the ongoing debate surrounding Hamazaki’s casting may influence future decisions regarding actor selection and the handling of controversial figures within the series.
