Breaking News - Police to Charge Tokitsukaze oyakata

[Jonosuke 28]

Isenoumi Oyakata Press Conference

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The Kyokai's director Isenoumi oyakata visited the Minister of Education and Science Tokai on October 5 to convey the Kyokai's decision to dismiss Tokitsukaze oyakata from his position with the Kyokai.

Question & Answer

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Q: What have you talked to Minister Kisaburo Tokai?

Isenoumi oyakata: I told him today we have held a Directors meeting at the Kokugikan regarding the series of events involving Tokitsukaze beya and reached our decision. "Following Kyokai's By-law", the disciplinary action to be decided was dismissal. In addition to the police conducting their investigation, I explained to him the oyakata has damaged the Kyokai's honor severely and was justified for dismissal.

Q: How did the Minister react?

I: Considering from the past , it must be the "most severe dismissal". Like "from looking at it from the past examples, it's the most severe disciplinary action."

Q: Any other?

I: He said, "Do not conclude the probe by settling with this alone and search for the real truth. Ensure to have no similar incident to occur by setting up an inquiry committee properly."

Q: How did you respond?

I: We are all aware that we should never repeat such a tragedy. In our first meeting of the committee we will be hearing a variety of opinion on the life and training and we hope to determine where we should be more careful and what we may be doing wrong. We want to look at the whole issues from a holistic point of view so we will never have such an incident again.

Q: You have not yet released the names of outside experts?

I: We will discuss the matter in our first meeting. We want to cover our general agenda including the selections at that meeting. I don't think we will be able to appoint them quickly enough but we would like to move positively.

Q: You were referring to harming or damaging the Kyokai's honor. What exactly do you mean by that?

I: Only those who went through the experience can tell you about the severity of Butsukari geiko to a newly joined recruit. So for those of us who went through with the experience can understand if a newly joined recruit can truly withstand the pressure of Butsukari geiko or not. It's been reported that In the sumo world, it's a part of regular normal sumo training but that is further from truth. All oyakata with 52 heya and instructors are hopping mad hearing everyone in Japan has been told it was. When a new recruit is introduced to us and we go over to their parents, they would immediately react there will be no way they could afford to send in their son to such a place. From a variety of point of view the most serious concern was that we have lost our credibility severely.

Q: Deputy Minister Kenshiro Matsunami indicated you should take an appropriate and responsible action against Musashigawa beya as well?

I: I am working hard strictly focusing on Tokitsukaze beya issue. I really am not knowlegible enough on the Musashigawa beya issue so I'd like to refrain from commenting on it further or I might risk an misunderstanding.

Q: We understand today's visit to be a mid-term report but are you continuing on your investigation of the past similar incidents?

I: We will continue to investigate. But we don't have any similar incident like this where a rikishi died while doing a training session. There are examples of rikishi dying by falling ill and died of heart failure subsequently. In these cases we will be submitting a medical report with each incident to the Ministry.

Q: Do you believe the dismissal to be accepted by the public?

I: We felt he deserved to be dismissed for breach of conduct, harming severely the Kyokai's honor. All directors came to the same conclusion and I share their opinion.

Edited October 5, 2007 by Jonosuke

[Shomishuu 0]

When a company suffers a breakdown of sort either financially or organizationally, the person at the top usually pays. The shareholders will be screaming for their head. In Japan or elsewhere with the position, more responsibility is demanded.

Sure. If, say, one of the riji had been faking the Kyokai's accounts and stealing tons of money, and been doing it right under Kitanoumi's nose, I could understand charging him as being responsible from an organizational point of view. But in this case, Kitanoumi is isolated by so many layers of hierarchy from what goes on in each individual stable, I just don't see what the point of him getting removed from his position would be.

Let's face it...we're dealing with a secret society which operates within a culture that is in itself, exceedingly difficult to understand unless you were raised in it...so we're just guessing at what that point would be. All we can do is look at what happened and when it happened and make our own guesses.

Mine happens to be that Kitanoumi was a follower instead of a leader - possibly a prudent path for someone in his position but in this case he got burned. They (NSK) received a personal report from Tokitsukaze about one month after Saito's death about what happened. They either got the whole truth or they didn't. If they did, it means they were willing to let the young man's death fade away if the police never found anything. If the oyakata didn't tell the truth, it means he/they knew they had been lied to, but still refused to conduct their own probe, (if you want to call it that) until he was hauled before the government. So the NSK, with Kitanoumi at the helm was either guilty of being willing to ignore everything while knowing everything, or they were willing to allow themselves be publicly seen dragged kicking and screaming into responding to the young man's death. Either image is dreadful, and the Rijicho is the image of the NSK.

But that's just my guess as to why some are calling for his head. My next guess is that they won't get it.

[madorosumaru 7]

The latest news is that maegashira Tokitsuumi will intai and take over Tokitsukaze Beya.

For weeks there have been speculations that Edagawa Oyakata, former Aogiyama, will be the one to assume the role of Tokitsukaze Oyakata, but apparently the ousted oyakata balked at that idea. The former Futatsuryu (15th Tokitsukaze) was selected as successor by the 14th Tokitsukaze, former ozeki Yutakayama, upon the latter's retirement. The former Yutakayama had indicated that he favored his Tokyo Nodai kohai, Tokitsuumi, as a future Tokitsukaze namesake. As such, former Futatsuryu also wanted Tokitsuumi to take over if he were forced to vacate his position.

Since toshiyori myoseki is personal property, the dismissed oyakata still has the rights to it. Even though the Kyokai had internally agreed on Edagawa, they still needed Futatsuryu's cooperation. In the past few days, Kyokai muckety-mucks have been convincing Tokitsuumi to retire and become the heya shisho.

Originally, the Kyokai was going to announce the succession of the heya at the same time as the dismissal. Because of this new development, the board of directors are allowing the heya people until the 9th to process the paperwork. Tokitsuumi already owns Nishikijima myoseki. He will exchange that with Tokitsukaze. The former Futatsuryu will then possess the Nishikijima kabu but he will not be able to use it for himself. He will have to dispose of it in the usual way. The market value of a kabu is estimated at around 100 million yen. Futatsuryu will be out of a job but he won't be going to the poorhouse.

Edit: The news article had Tokitsuumi's kabu erroneously as Sanoyama, which belongs to Chiyotaikai. Tokitsuumi owns the Nishikijima stock.

Edited October 5, 2007 by madorosumaru

[ilovesumo 12]

Tokitsuumi already owns Nishikijima myoseki. He will exchange that with Tokitsukaze. The former Futatsuryu will then possess the Nishikijima kabu but he will not be able to use it for himself. He will have to dispose of it in the usual way. The market value of a kabu is estimated at around 100 million yen. Futatsuryu will be out of a job but he won't be going to the poorhouse.

Q: What about his severance pay?

K: I haven't thought about it.

I also had the Kabu problem in mind all the time. I thought they can kick him out but taking the kabu away is impossible for the pure money it means.

It's still a share, big money, and this now looks like there is a private deal between ex-Tokitsukaze and Tokitsuumi... (In a state of confusion...)

What is Tokitsuumi thinking now? "That's my big chance" or "I know the Rikishi and I am the best possible man for this job" or "I have to"?

Honestly, I wouldn't take over...

The whole Beya's image stinks now. Will there be any shindeshi wanting to join THIS heya in the next years?

Sure, the historical name shouldn't disappear, but hey....they could have let it sleep for years and reactivate it later.

That happens often. For example there is no Futagoyama beya anymore but possible in future. Same with Fujishima Beya....

Why not a new founded Tokitsukaze beya in 40 Years?

There are so many shikona changes, here one is needed....

[Kintamayama 47,293]

The whole Beya's image stinks now. Will there be any shindeshi wanting to join THIS heya in the next years?

On the contrary- one would thing it is the BEST heya to join at the moment-a heya that will bend over backwards to show how "good" they can be and fast.

I'd join Tokitsukaze, as soon as I learn to drink from my forehead. (Joke, joke..)

[Kintamayama 47,293]

Mine happens to be that Kitanoumi was a follower instead of a leader - possibly a prudent path for someone in his position but in this case he got burned. They (NSK) received a personal report from Tokitsukaze about one month after Saito's death about what happened. They either got the whole truth or they didn't.

I translated somewhere that the NSK received a full report concerning the police findings and their intentions at the end of August, at the height of the Asashouryuu scandal, and knew full well what was in store for them. What they didn't take into consideration was the heavy hammer wielded on them by the Ministry of Sports, Technology etc.. THAT caught them off-guard, including the unveiled threat of withdrawing their subsidy unless they got jiggy with the internal investigation.

Nearly a month passed till they actually did something, and this, after the stink bomb exploded and the Ministry threatened.

And boy, were they then quick to act, with their tails on fire..

Edited October 6, 2007 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 47,293]

In addition to the firing of Tokitsukaze, chief director Kitanoumi received a 50 % salary cut for 4 months and the 9 directors 30% for 3 months each.

So what are the salaries of a riji?

Base: 1,116,000 yen ($ 9,547)

Monthly allowance: 288,000 yen

Together: 1,448,000 yen ($12,387)

Allowance for continued service-Between 5,000-20,000 yen per month

Rijicho-50,000, riji 40,000- monthly "officer" allowance.

Three times a year-another 200,000 yen allowance each for the regional basho.

Do the math..

As for those who were wondering what the math regarding Takasago will be, it's a 51% reduction in pay, as the second 30% cut comes from the 70% he has left from the first cut..

[Kintamayama 47,293]

The latest news is that maegashira Tokitsuumi will intai and take over Tokitsukaze Beya.

It is being reported that Tokitsuumi refused to retire at first, but after being persuaded by the former shisho and others he has agreed. As a first step, he has submitted a request to be absent from this morning's charity tournament and the Aki jungyo which commences on Sunday. He will be busy with the formal stuff he has to go through to acquire/switch the kabu by the 9th, which is the deadline Kitanoumi quoted. It is also being noted that Tokitsuumi is very popular among the heya deshi and he was the one helping them to keep it together during this crisis. He also is known for his leadership capabilities.

[ilovesumo 12]

It is also being noted that Tokitsuumi is very popular among the heya deshi and he was the one helping them to keep it together during this crisis. He also is known for his leadership capabilities.

Then he IS the best for the job.

[Jonosuke 28]

Tokitsuumi is also a favorite of the former Tokitsukaze oyakata (former ozeki Yutakayama and former Rijicho) who was the shisho of the now dismissed Tokitsukaze oyakata. Both Tokitsuumi and Yutakayama were standouts at the Tokyo Nogyo University and it is the reason almost all of Tokyo Nogyo graduates joined Tokitzukaze beya.

Tokitsuumi is well liked and and he should be able to restore the heya to the former glory.

Edited October 7, 2007 by Sasanishiki

[Asashosakari 20,272]

Well, so much for Zaonishiki sitting on a stable kabu with Nishikijima... I do guess he'll get to continue borrowing it even after the switch.

[sashimaru 10]

The incident even got mentioned on n-tv.de (Website of the german news-channel n-tv)

Nach brutalem Training: Sumo-Ringer gestorben

[Kintamayama 47,293]

According to current Nishikijima Oyakata, Tokitsukaze collapsed yesterday upon returning to his heya after being kicked out of the Kyokai. Apparently, his chronic high blood pressure kicked in. He is in bed and being treated with medication, added the Oyakata. Tokitsukaze made no public comments after the punishment was handed down, but according to Nishikijima, has accepted it. What he is deeply concerned with are the possible results of the ongoing police inquiry, added Nishikijima.

Edited October 6, 2007 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 47,293]

Tokitsukaze went on TV today to explain his side of the story.

You need to get permission from the Kyokai's PR office to go on TV, if you are a member of the Kyokai. Tokitsukaze did not ask for any. Now, remind me who is head of said PR office? Oh, right.. Takasago Oyakata.. "I have not been in touch with him at all. He just went and did it on his own", remarked an uncomfortable Takasago Oyakata.

The Kyokai is now "punishing" Fuji TV as well for broadcasting the interview with Tokitsukaze without prior permission as required. They will be allowed to post news, but no pictures or anything else Sumo-related. Their press pass has been revoked as well. "We did a get a request after the broadcast, but that doesn't work..", explained PR boss Takasago Oyakata.

Edited October 6, 2007 by Kintamayama

[ilovesumo 12]

The incident even got mentioned on n-tv.de (Website of the german news-channel n-tv)

Nach brutalem Training: Sumo-Ringer gestorben

They have the very same mistake as the austrian article from yesterday, saying that Tokitsukaze was the Shikona (Shaking head...) of the exed....

[aderechelsea 125]

you are a bit harsh on people .... (Shaking head...)

[Jakusotsu 6,401]

Apparently, his chronic high blood pressure kicked in. He is in bed and being treated with medication, added the Oyakata.

Sounds more like he fell into a beer bottle.

[Jonosuke 28]

He has been sick for some time now. Back in the Nagoya basho he resigned from his position as a dohyo judge and went on kyujo as in here.

Incidentally the Kyokai replaced Yamawake oyakata with Sekinoto oyakata (former Kinkaiyama) as Aki Jyungyo Operations Manager. Yamawake oyakata met personally with Kitanoumi oyakata as well apologized at the emergency Directors meeting the other day to discuss Tokitsukaze oyakata.

[Jonosuke 28]

As reported Toktitsuumi woud officially take over Toktisukaze beya on October 9.

"I believe there will be no significant activity until October 9. As a special consideration we provided them a due time to come to a proper resolution, I am sure they will be considering all aspects and trying to cover all the bases," the Ichimon's Isenoumi oyakata said.

Tokitsuumi did not show at the TV Asahi Charity Sumo held at the Kokugikan on October 6 and has already submitted his kyujo notice for the Aki Jyungyo startting on October 7 in Yokohama City.

Two other Tokitsukaze beya sekitori did participate in the Charity Sumo event but they both remained quiet. Toyonoshima said even at his parents home (a Tofu shop in Sukumo City Kochi Prefecture), they are receiving hate phone calls. "I hope they give my parents a break".

"I will miss him as he is the shisho who took over from the previous shisho right after I joined. Obviously our main job is sumo but we are bombarded with this problem every day, I can't really concentrate on sumo," Toyonoshima said.

The other sekitori, Tokitenku, was more succinct in finding an excuse to the gullible.

"You know, recently I have been forgetting how to speak in Japanese."

[Fay 1,677]

He has been sick for some time now. Back in the Nagoya basho he resigned from his position as a dohyo judge and went on kyujo as in here.

He was replaced by Michinoku Oyakata in his judge functions at the dohyo. But I remember him sitting in the boxes for one morning and taking the tickets from the visitors, very nice and polite - a bit too late ...

[Jonosuke 28]

We all talk about how the Kyokai is tradition bound and never willing to veer off from their normal course but in this case it is a real exception. In the past even when a shisho suddenly passing away, they required to have a replacement named right away as their "rule" states a heya cannot exist without the shisho not even one single day or fold. For this one they are giving the heya four days to name the next shisho.

The major reason is that the former Tokitsukaze oyakata's insistence in not having Edagawa oyakata (former Aogiyama) succeed him. Everyone including Kitaonumi oyakata figured there would be no trouble firing off Tokitsukaze oyakata as they thought the heya had a capable oyakata to take over. Except they did not know how deeply Tokitsukaze oyakata felt about his successor. I don't know if there was some kind of rift between him and Edawaga oyakata but it was perfectly clear that he was not going out quietly if the Kyokai forced their own candidate to succeed the heya.

In the end the former Tokitsukaze oyakata had the last say.

[sekihiryu 51]

so Tokitsukaze got fired huh? (little slow on this topic) fair enough.... now good F%@&*$g riddance - hope he gets criminally charged and jailed, thats off my chest; feel better now, lets concentrate on the sumo ( my sumo enthusiasm was at an all time low with the flakey yokozuna escapade -this disgusting episode hasn't helped)

[ilovesumo 12]

so Tokitsukaze got fired huh? (little slow on this topic) fair enough.... now good F%@&*$g riddance - hope he gets criminally charged and jailed, thats off my chest; feel better now, lets concentrate on the sumo ( my sumo enthusiasm was at an all time low with the flakey yokozuna escapade -this disgusting episode hasn't helped)

... (Shaking head...)

The Shoryu incident got on my, our all, nerves for the press shit.

Now this one is very different...it hurts Sumo in it's roots. Shoryu was just about discipline, this is....questioning Sumo itself.

I can't say that I lost my love for Sumo.... got a feeling that I want to protect it somehow but that's impossible,

just stupid feelings of stupid me. All that money, sponsors..........somehow I want to go back to the time I was 17, inflamed,

loving Sumo, learning about it (from views of other people who had no real idea about what's really going on (I mean about the dirt in it), telling that japanese people see Rikishi as half-gods) In those days Sumo was kinda religious to me...now it's just "life" and life is difficult but I can't say that I love it less. I love parts of it, hate parts of it (the bad parts I found out about by reading this Forum, translations, having chanko with sponsors around etc.)

but most of all it hurts to read about the hate calls, Toyonoshima talked about, for example... (Hit the wall...) or the "let's stay away from Kyushu Basho"...

:-O damn, Sumo needs support. Not money support...people loving it. Japanese people loving it. (Help me...)

I woke up...but wanna sleep...

(Censored...) ... (Censored...) ... (Censored...)

[Kintamayama 47,293]

I can't say that I lost my love for Sumo.... got a feeling that I want to protect it somehow but that's impossible etc. etc.

Don't worry-don't believe everything written here or in the press. Sumo will survive, the koenkais aren't going anywhere. Tokitsukaze beya will have some difficult times but in an year or so, no one will remember, and a new scandal which will seem REALLY bad will erupt, and so on.

[ilovesumo 12]

I can't say that I lost my love for Sumo.... got a feeling that I want to protect it somehow but that's impossible etc. etc.

Don't worry-don't believe everything written here or in the press. Sumo will survive, the koenkais aren't going anywhere. Tokitsukaze beya will have some difficult times but in an year or so, no one will remember, and a new scandal which will seem REALLY bad will erupt, and so on.

Hm... (Shaking head...)

But somehow I missed the really bad scandals in the last 9 years...