Shintaro Takayama

Reputed to be descended from ninja lines, 52 year old Shintaro Takayama is director of the security at the Arasaka family compound and personal martial arts trainer to the Arasaka family. He developed the personal combat section of the Arasaka troop training regimen. Shintaro has been long been vassal of Saburo, and is trusted with many of the Arasaka Corporation's secrets. Shintaro owes his life to Saburo and is very loyal.

Shintaro lives at the Arasaka compound. When either Saburo or Hanako leaves the compound Shintaro accompanies them. If they travel separately, but at the same time, Shintaro goes with Saburo and Katsuo Iwashima, weapons specialist and second in command of compound security, escorts Hanako.

Shintaro enamored of Hanako and treats her as if she was his own daughter. Any threat to her is taken most seriously by Shintaro. Hanako is aware of Shintaro's loyalty, and considers him, next to Yorinobu, her most trusted friend. She loves to listen to Shintaro spin tales of ancient Japan. Shintaro, like Saburo, is a traditionalist. Unlike Saburo, Shintaro eschews all cybernetics.