Japan Press Weekly

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2023 May 10 - 16 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Sumo world should seriously work to eliminate violence: Akahata’s sports editor

It was revealed by a major weekly magazine, “Daily Shincho”, that a 21-year-old sumo wrestler belonging to the Michinoku Stable was physically assaulted on a daily basis.

According to the magazine, since July 2020, the wrestler has experienced violence, abusive remarks, and bullying from his senior stablemate. In January 2023, he got punched in his face repeatedly which caused bleeding in his mouth. He finally talked to the stable master about this matter, expecting a proper response.

However, in reaction to a report on the incident from the stable master, the Japan Sumo Association only told him to ease the offending wrestler out of the sumo world without publicity. In addition, the association persuaded the victim to accept this decision.

Criticizing the sumo body’s handling of the issue, Akahata’s sports editor Aoyama Toshiaki in the May 11 issue of Akahata pointed out that although the association in October 2018 made a declaration of breaking away from its tradition of tolerance of violence, it fails to improve its awareness for the need to eliminate in-house violence and still continues brushing violent incidents under the carpet.

The association’s declaration states that all forms of violence is prohibited and that to achieve this, stable masters and association executives will take the lead in promoting efforts to raise the consciousness of individuals in the sumo world. Nevertheless, violent incidents frequently occur.

The association in its declaration announced that when a violent case comes to light, the association will disclose necessary information in a prompt manner. In the latest case however, the association took the attitude as if nothing had happened.

Akahata’s sports editor pointed out that what the sumo association should do is to respond to the victim’s demand to eliminate violence, uncover the whole truth about the latest violent incident, and draw lessons from the incident to prevent a recurrence.

Past related article:
> Sumo world still mired in violence [November 16, 2017]