Controversy Erupts Over Yakuza Kiwami 3 Casting of Actor With Misconduct Past

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is facing heavy backlash in Japan after SEGA unveiled a new trailer featuring controversial actor Teruyuki Kagawa.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 Faces Backlash in Japan Over Teruyuki Kagawa Casting | SEGA/RGG

The controversy first began in September 2025, when SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku (RGG) Studio announced the casting lineup for the remake. Among the reveals was Kagawa as antagonist Goh Hamazaki, with the actor providing both his voice and likeness through motion capture.

Shortly after the reveal, fans resurfaced Kagawa’s past misconduct. Back in 2019, Kagawa was accused of sexually harassing two women at a Tokyo hostess club. By 2022, he publicly admitted to one of the incidents, apologizing through his agency. Photographs from the night, showing him forcibly grabbing a woman by the hair, circulated widely online and severely damaged his reputation. While no criminal charges were filed, the scandal forced him to step down from major endorsements, including his role as a Toyota brand ambassador.

With this history in mind, fans quickly rallied around the hashtag #REMOVEKAGAWA, which has since flooded social media platforms. The backlash only grew when SEGA’s latest trailer for Kiwami 3 opened with Kagawa’s character just 13 seconds in. The YouTube comments section is now dominated by the hashtag, with many players criticizing the developer for ignoring the controversy.

The criticism hasn’t been limited to trailers either. During a recent SEGA livestream showcasing gameplay, the live chat was overwhelmed with the same hashtag, yet presenters never acknowledged it. 

Fans argue that casting Kagawa undermines the very themes the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series has long stood for. These games often explore issues of corruption, accountability, and redemption, and many feel that giving Kagawa such a visible role contradicts those values. The backlash has grown into a boycott movement, with thousands of players pledging not to purchase the game unless SEGA takes action.

Adding to the pressure, a Change.org petition launched in late September has already gathered thousands of signatures. The petition argues that “atonement doesn’t erase harm” and urges SEGA to uphold the series’ values of justice and respect by removing Kagawa from the project.

Despite the uproar, SEGA and RGG Studio have yet to issue a statement. With Yakuza Kiwami 3 scheduled to release on February 12, 2026, it seems unlikely that the studio will recast the role so close to launch. Still, the controversy shows no signs of fading.

For context, Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a full remake of the 2009 PlayStation 3 title Yakuza 3. Like its predecessors, Kiwami and Kiwami 2, it uses the Dragon Engine to deliver a complete graphical and gameplay overhaul. Players once again step into the shoes of Kazuma Kiryu, navigating yakuza conflicts, personal struggles, and life at his Okinawan orphanage. The remake is set to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.