This could be the 'Western game' Nagoshi was teasing. SEGA's Dead Rising? You know how that was Capcom's first big hit this generation, especially on the 360 and in the west.
Yakuza is a big Japanese name, it will do its selling on name alone. Maybe this is aiming for western audiences? I assume this is why out of the blue SEGA West decided to bring Yakuza 3 and then Yakuza 4 was announced timely (compared to 3).