Wakanohou arrested for drug possession

[Mark Buckton 1]

thanks there Kuroyama. Appreciate that.

[Mark Buckton 1]

think that is often true - particularly with the single folk.

[Mark Buckton 1]

nah, think we need look no further than Japan's acceptance of what is calls English teachers. In close on a dozen years I have met one with a professional teaching certificate that would enable them to teach in their own nation.

In Japan, the native speakers attend a few days training and providing they have a heartbeat at the end of it, are put in charge of students in a private school or, as an ALT in a public school.

Were Japan to follow the lead of non-English speaking nations (requiring at least month-six week long and pretty expensive TEFL certs from Cambridge etc as well as Uni level education and other decent short term courses) in Europe and increasingly SE Asia, the level of English would jump, the work and drinkk your way round the world sensei would be out of work, and salaries for the pros taking their places would rise. NOVA's collapse - best thing to happen in years in the eikawa factories. Sadly, women called keiko now have no-one to ask them 'so Keiko, what did you do this weekend?' before responding 'Shopping, went, buyed bag' and then hearing sensei-sama respond with 'that sounds interesting but please say, I went shopping - and buyed a bag'.

These losers would get no other job in Japan were they to be up against the general, more qualified and capable populace in the huge range of fileds open to gaijin. Most don't have the nuts to try and stagnate in eikawa and Gaspanic before heading to Pattaya (sp?)

Apparently the beaches in Thailand filled up after that happy day NOVA packed in. When Japan takes English language seriously - those beaches will be absolutely packed.

Fortunately the MoE and MoJ are looking at minimum qualifications now - non of the aforementioned 'can you tell me the difference between a verb and a noun?' courses? Errrr.... one is a word linked to things isn't it? And the other, erm....? Yep - close enough says the examiner! Now, let me listen to your heart.

ね?

Edited August 23, 2008 by Mark Buckton

[Mark Buckton 1]

In close on a dozen years I have met one with a professional teaching certificate that would enable them to teach in their own nation.

You need to get out more. Since you've met me and I have the above I guess it's me you are talking about. For what it's worth I've met dozens.

no - fisrt time, didn't know that - what is it you have? Because with it, the university doors are wide open for work.

An American man I know was the person I meant.

[Kintamayama 45,366]

Hakurozan: "Hey bro, does it look like he's high again?'

Rohou: "Hmm...'

Ex-Taihou: Nanda? Koitsu mata unko shitanoka??

Edited August 23, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,366]

I know it's not nice to make fun of ignorant people, and this will likely come across as just that, but I'm more presenting it as some evidence about the truly incredible "facts" that appear to be making the rounds, stuff so outlandish I'm not even sure where the heck this might have originated. From the aforementioned Japan Times thread:

http://www.japantoday.com/category/nationa...ow_all_comments See the comment posted at "05:59 AM JST - 22nd August" by one "boonme".

Perhaps the misunderstanding was because Asashosakari mistakenly attributed the quote to the Japan Times, when it was written in Japan Today which is somewhere entirely diferent..

Edited August 23, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,366]

"Other rikishi are not doing it", wrote Wakanohou in his affidavit in jail. He received his lawyer yesterday, who brought him the news of his dismissal. "There is nothing I can do about it. I am now reflecting upon my deeds", Wakanohou was quoted as saying to Ben Goshi, his lawyer, who said he looked "despondent".

[Asashosakari 19,506]

Perhaps the misunderstanding was because Asashosakari mistakenly attributed the quote to the Japan Times, when it was written in Japan Today which is somewhere entirely diferent..

Oh geez. I'll check myself into a remedial reading class asap.

Sorry 'bout the confusion!

[Asashosakari 19,506]

... to take in the remaining seven (or maybe six...is Wakamiume actually still there?)

FWIW, the "Magaki rikishi to train at Otake-beya" article mentioned by Kinta in another thread says there are six remaining rikishi after Wakanoho's dismissal, so I guess Wakamiume's a goner.

[Asashosakari 19,506]

I guess Wakamiume's a goner.

(Gyoji...) Not the most sensitive choice of words for someone battling cancer.

:-O Sorry about that. Pretty hard to anticipate that type of detail, though...

[Dante 0]

What a ludacris way of dealing with something as harmless as marijuana, obviously he should have known better and he should have been aware of the repercussions but... OH MY GOD! It's just marijuana not nearly as harmful as alcohol or nicotine (not by a long shot) it is shameful that usage of a plant (that's all it is, nothing more nothing less) should be looked upon as such a crime. It's 2008 people wake up and smell the hash fumes!

So bizar that people are still scared of anyone giving himself pleasure when it is not the taxed drugs they are using. Cannabis is used as a medicine for pain releavement in cancer and leukemia patients and this treatment works so well even the USA uses it(!) But be caught with some MJ on you in Japan and you are banned from your sport for life. I am astonished...

Might be that the fact that I can legally buy it two minutes from my home (and have done so quite often in the past) is making me somewhat of an expert on the subject even...

[JAB 0]

Dante,

Well put and I agree. Good luck with the majority of the board agreeing though.

Jake

[Kintamayama 45,366]

Dante,

Well put and I agree. Good luck with the majority of the board agreeing though.

Jake

I say good riddance. No pot here!! Of course, this has nothing to do with Sumo and what it is as opposed to all other sports. It's the Japanese drug laws that are so primitive and ruthless and stern!!

No drugs!! No drugs!! Out with the pot heads!!

[Asashosakari 19,506]

This thread is starting to remind me of the Asashoryu threads almost exactly a year ago, it's just a different issue about which some people can now proceed to totally miss the point. "Ludacris", indeed.

[Takanobaka 0]

What a ludacris way of dealing with something as harmless as marijuana, obviously he should have known better and he should have been aware of the repercussions but... OH MY GOD! It's just marijuana not nearly as harmful as alcohol or nicotine (not by a long shot) it is shameful that usage of a plant (that's all it is, nothing more nothing less) should be looked upon as such a crime. It's 2008 people wake up and smell the hash fumes!

So bizar that people are still scared of anyone giving himself pleasure when it is not the taxed drugs they are using. Cannabis is used as a medicine for pain releavement in cancer and leukemia patients and this treatment works so well even the USA uses it(!) But be caught with some MJ on you in Japan and you are banned from your sport for life. I am astonished...

Might be that the fact that I can legally buy it two minutes from my home (and have done so quite often in the past) is making me somewhat of an expert on the subject even...

I don't disagree that the rules are harsh, but as a foreigner, you need to follow the laws and accept the consequences if you break them.

[Asojima 2,874]

I don't disagree that the rules are harsh, but as a foreigner, you need to follow the laws and accept the consequences if you break them.

[Takanobaka 0]

Sorry, I guess I should have clarified myself better. The effects are magnified as a foreigner, and you need to take proactive steps to learn the laws and cultural morays (as opposed to a native who pretty much has them ingrained by the time they hit his age).

Dumb laws are laws nonetheless.

[Dante 0]

I agree. You should obey the law (stupid as this law might be) but should you not then you would have to live up to the criminal charges... I don't see why the association would need to punish someone again as if that is truly a necessity... It's pot!!! It's not like were talking sport enhancing opiates here, not like we are talking about steroids!

[Jonosuke 28]

Sorry, guys, there is a whole thread on this drugs and laws at http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?...c=15913&hl=

Please take it there and discuss them to death.

[Dante 0]

Great way to kill a subject! (Showing respect...)

Isn't this relevant to this whole discussion? I don't mean any dis (Showing respect...) but I figured this is all related to the topic is it not?

[Randomitsuki 2,831]

Great way to kill a subject! (Showing respect...)

Now where is your problem, sir? We DO have another thread where the harmlessness (or not) of drugs is discussed.

Isn't this relevant to this whole discussion? I don't mean any dis (Showing respect...) but I figured this is all related to the topic is it not?

Erm, no. The only thing relevant to the topic is that Wakanoho broke the existing law, and he did so fully knowing about the consequences. Maybe if what he did was legal in Japan, but still sanctioned by the Kyokai, there would be some relation to sumo. But he broke the laws of Japan, so the Kyokai's position is somewhat moot.

As a consequence, the harmlessness (or not) of drugs has nothing to do with the Wakanoho case anymore. Really not. Two different topics, two different threads.

Edited August 25, 2008 by Randomitsuki

[Dante 0]

I respectfully disagree. Everytime a Rikishi had trouble with the law up until now there was no ousting from the sport. Be it beating up journalists, damaging cars, fighting in a bar and hurting innocent waitresses in the process otr whichever.

However as soon as there is a (indeed harmless) drug involved they react like the wicked witch of the east would to water.

I do not understand why this would be reason to point all discussions on this to a different topic not related to the actual incident.... It is definitely not two different discussions by far.

[Kotoviki 16]

I respectfully disagree. Everytime a Rikishi had trouble with the law up until now there was no ousting from the sport. Be it beating up journalists, damaging cars, fighting in a bar and hurting innocent waitresses in the process otr whichever.

However as soon as there is a (indeed harmless) drug involved they react like the wicked witch of the east would to water.

I do not understand why this would be reason to point all discussions on this to a different topic not related to the actual incident.... It is definitely not two different discussions by far.

May be sorry I'm jumping in with no sleep..

The difference with Wakanoho vs. any/all other rikishi who may have had trouble "with" the law is that none of the others was caught in a drug incident. For Japan any drug is a DRUG, not hard, soft, semi drug or whatever. In this case Japan considers marijuana a drug. It is a much more serious offense than say beating up a journalist according to the law. Wakanoho could be sentenced up to 5 years in prison where say an act of violence would be punishable if the photographer say pressed charges. In the end Wakanoho said he knew that it was illegal, knew the consequences and admitted the charges so it is over. This is the most severe offense I guess in Japan other than murder.

The reason why the topic was split was there was more talk about drugs/effect of drugs/etc.. which was not necessarily directly related to Wakanoho and the topic was getting quite cluttered which is why (I think) the moderators split it!

*note - I hope I stated that objectively and respectfully... guess I'll find out when I wake up in a few hours and check in! Good night! *

[Randomitsuki 2,831]

I respectfully disagree. Everytime a Rikishi had trouble with the law up until now there was no ousting from the sport. Be it beating up journalists, damaging cars, fighting in a bar and hurting innocent waitresses in the process otr whichever.

However as soon as there is a (indeed harmless) drug involved they react like the wicked witch of the east would to water.

I do not understand why this would be reason to point all discussions on this to a different topic not related to the actual incident.... It is definitely not two different discussions by far.

OK, my last attempt...

In case you didn't notice, Wakanoho has more than just "trouble with the law". He is arrested, he confessed, and he will be thrown out of the country (with or without being in jail before). You think that the drug laws in Japan are silly? Perfectly fine, just go over to the other thread where these things are discussed at length. Do you really think that the fact Wakanoho was fired from the Kyokai has any bearing at this point? Do you think that Wakanoho will cry foul over the minuscule fact that, in addition to being thrown out of the country, his employer was so incredibly bold and wicked as to lay him off?

What should the Kyokai have done? Grant him an honorary position on the next few banzuke? Maegajuana 4 West?

Edited August 25, 2008 by Randomitsuki

[Kintamayama 45,366]

Aran said "I didn't know anything. I was totally surprised". Baruto: "He went too far..". Hakuhou: "I've got nothing to say. I know nothing". "I was sure he was about to get stronger from here on.. It's really too bad", added Kotomitsuki. "He was a rikishi with great expectations so it's a pity", said Kotooushuu.

Aran confronted by the press during the rikishi weigh in: