The latest Weekly Famitsu has Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio confirming Yakuza 8 is set years after Yakuza: Like a Dragon, alongside news for other non-Yakuza and Judgment games.

The news that Yakuza 8 is set years after Yakuza: Like a Dragon was confirmed by new studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama, who has taken up the role of recently-departed series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi.

The interview (via ryokutya2089) talks up the upcoming games, as well as the studio’s new restructuring following key staff that have left.

“I think Yakuza 8 (tentative) will be a continuation of the story some years after 7,” Yokoyama teased. “I think Yakuza 8 will be a continuation of the story of Kasuga Ichiban at the time of its release.”

Famitsu then asked if Ichiban is the protagonist once again, to which Yokoyama replied “Hmm, well, yes. Yeah, I guess so.” He also talked up the future of the Judgment series, now a separate series from Yakuza.

“We’ll keep the Judgment series alive, and we will continue to cherish the Judgment series,” he said. The new studio director also talked up the restructuring of the developer.

“It’s a normal thing for a company to change its personnel. I’m happy that we’re in an environment where we have to make a big announcement about something so normal,” Yokoyama said.

He added, “In the past ten years, Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has grown to 300 people. The three top executives, Nagoshi, Sato, and myself, have been in place for a long time, but in an organization like this, it’s hard to make changes without some kind of shock. In that sense, I think this change in structure is a sign of change.”

Lastly, Yokoyama teased new games they’re working on outside their two core franchises.

“We’re also working on unannounced titles outside of both series,” Yokoyama said.

What would you like to see in Yakuza 8, and the continuation of Kasuga Ichiban’s story? What about non-Yakuza or Judgment games? Sound off in the comments below!