Kenji Kasen

"To be truly strong, it is important that you never show weakness."

- Kenji Kasen to Claude, in Shima.

Kenji Kasen is a main character in Grand Theft Auto III (set in 2001). He is the brother of Asuka and Kazuki Kasen, and the Waka-Gashira (co-leader) of the Yakuza alongside his sister Asuka. He is also the brother-in-law of Toshiko Kasen and unspecified relation of Yuka, Asuka's niece.

Life up to 2001
Kenji Kasen was born in Japan and moved to Liberty City in 1996 to join his siblings Asuka and Kazuki in managing the Yakuza. He later returned to Japan at the some point before 1998, but came back to the city at said year to replace his older brother Kazuki as leader of the Yakuza alongside Asuka after his death.

2001
In 2001 Kenji opened his casino, Kenji's Casino, in Torrington, the same place his brother Kazuki had owned his casino. Kenji joins his sister in becoming the co-leader of the Yakuza and begins to employ Claude on advice from his sister. He has Claude prove himself, despite Asuka's assurances, and, due to his fierce belief in loyalty, has him break Kanbu out of prison.

Kenji, impressed with Claude's ability, has him collect three sports cars and deposit them in a garage, ambush a deal between the Colombian Cartel and the Uptown Yardies, collect briefcases of protection money and kill many members of the Uptown Yardies who were selling the drug SPANK.

Claude later begins to work for media mogul Donald Love who employs him to kill Kenji whilst posing as a member of the Colombian Cartel, driving a Cartel Cruiser, to start a gang war in order to drive down property prices.

Prominent Appearances in Missions

 * Grand Theft Auto III
 * Under Surveillance
 * Kanbu Bust-out (Boss)
 * Grand Theft Auto (Boss)
 * Deal Steal (Boss)
 * Shima (Boss)
 * Smack Down (Boss)
 * Waka-Gashira Wipeout! (Killed)

Note: It is possible to kill Kenji before his missions have been completed, thus disabling 100% completion. Therefore, the player should ensure they complete Kenji's missions should they wish to attain 100% completion.

Trivia

 * Kenji Kasen's last name was originally spelled Kassen in the beta. This is evidenced by this teaser site for Grand Theft Auto III.
 * According to the Design Document from 2000/12/29, Kenji was not meant to be killed by Claude, but instead he would give missions after unlocking Shoreside Vale. Ultimately, he would be murdered by the Colombian Cartel.

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