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Kintamayama

New committee established to deal with gamblers

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The Kyokai has announced today that a new committee made up solely of "outside" people has been established to look into the gambling stories and will have full punishing powers. The rijikai will acknowledge this at their meeting on Monday the 21st. Three "outsiders" have been offered the job. The committee will be interviewing all those involved in order to get to the truth and deal with it.

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Roll call:

Shigeru Ito (Kyokai external director, Tokyo University professor emeritus)

Hiroyoshi Murayama (Kyokai external director, former Tokyo attorney general)

Jun Yoshino (Kyokai external supervisor, former national police superintendent)

Takayasu Okushima (member of the Administration Deliberation Committee, former Waseda University president)

Yoshinari Norota (member of the Lifestyle Guidance special committee, former director general of the Japan Defense Agency)

Hironori Yamaguchi (member of the Lifestyle Guidance special committee, vice-chair of the Japanese Professional Sports Association)

Hiroshi Yamamoto (member of the Lifestyle Guidance special committee, Hosei University professor)

and a trio of lawyers: Toshinari Nagao, Yasushi Murakami and Koichiro Mochizuki.

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Roll call:

Shigeru Ito (Kyokai external director, Tokyo University professor emeritus)

Hiroyoshi Murayama (Kyokai external director, former Tokyo attorney general)

Jun Yoshino (Kyokai external supervisor, former national police superintendent)

Takayasu Okushima (member of the Administration Deliberation Committee, former Waseda University president)

Yoshinari Norota (member of the Lifestyle Guidance special committee, former director general of the Japan Defense Agency)

Hironori Yamaguchi (member of the Lifestyle Guidance special committee, vice-chair of the Japanese Professional Sports Association)

Hiroshi Yamamoto (member of the Lifestyle Guidance special committee, Hosei University professor)

and a trio of lawyers: Toshinari Nagao, Yasushi Murakami and Koichiro Mochizuki.

Just as long as it's nobody from the Ministry of Education (or whatever it's being called now)

I have no big problem

Orion who keeps track of Ministry recruitment levels

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Any truth to the rumor that they are bringing Kenny Rogers in to help mentor these kids?

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Chairman Ito is taking all this very seriously. After declaring Kotomitsuki is history, he turned on the Oyakatas. "More than the rikishi, I am angry at the Oyakata. If this was a school we would say the teachers' education is unacceptable. They are entrusted with taking care of their rikishi. What the heck were they doing?? There was no supervision!", he roared. Michinoku and Hakkaku who were standing beside him became very small, faces ashen. It is becoming apparent that the various guilty shisho may be facing punishment as well, and that includes the Rijicho himself..

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People who say they know stuff have leaked the punishments due to be given tomorrow. This should be taken with a grain of salt of course. Heaviest punishment-Kotomitsuki, Ootake Oyakata and Tokitsukaze Oyakata, with dismissal for Ootake (Kotomitsuki will only be suspended for one basho says this source, but I personally don't buy that). Musashigawa rijicho will be suspended as well, and Nagoya will be led by an acting Rijicho. The 16 rikishi who admitted to baseball gambling will be suspended from Nagoya. All of Ounomatsu-beya will be punished ("house arrest"). Nagoya basho will be held as usual.

Edited by Kintamayama

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These Oyakata will be under "house arrest": Musashigawa (riji), Sadogatake, Michinoku(riji), Hakkaku, Kokonoe(riji), Dewanoumi(riji), Oguruma, Ounomatsu, Kasugano, Miyagino and Kise.

Edited by Kintamayama

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At last, the era of Nishonoseki-rijicho will begin.

(I'm kidding, but then he is the director in charge of Nagoya basho...)

Edit: I wonder what the committee interviews revealed so that Otake-oyakata is (allegedly) getting such a harsh punishment.

Edited by Asashosakari

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People who say they know stuff have leaked the punishments due to be given tomorrow. This should be taken with a grain of salt of course. Heaviest punishment-Kotomitsuki, Ootake Oyakata and Tokitsukaze Oyakata, with dismissal for Ootake (Kotomitsuki will only be suspended for one basho says this source, but I personally don't buy that). Musashigawa rijicho will be suspended as well, and Nagoya will be led by an acting Rijicho. The 16 rikishi who admitted to baseball gambling will be suspended from Nagoya. All of Ounomatsu-beya will be punished ("house arrest"). Nagoya basho will be held as usual.

If Ootake is supposedly going to be dismissed, and Kotomitsuki's suspended for Nagoya, then I wonder where on the spectrum Tokitsukaze's punishment will fall.

It's going to be very interesting when the kyujo lists come out. People being people, the worst will be assumed unless the names of everyone being punished are released. I wonder how many injured guys who would normally be kyujo from day 1 will try to keep their names clear of the mud by not withdrawing, not appear for their first match, then withdraw.

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So to summarize here's the list of those advised for "self restrain" as we know of now:

Makuuchi

----------------

Kotomitsuki (Sadogatake)

Miyabiyama (Musashigawa)

Toyonoshima (Tokitsukaze)

Kotoshogiku (Sadogatake)

Toyohibiki (Sakaigawa)

Goeido (Sakaigawa)

Yoshikaze (Oguruma)

Okinoumi (Hakkaku)

Wakakoyu (Onomatsu collateral damage)

Juryo

--------

Futeno (Dewanoumi) was in Juryo

Chiyohakuho (Kokonoe)

Kiyoseumi (Kitanoumi, former Kise)

Kasuganishiki (Kasugano)

Daido (Onomatsu collateral damage)

Masuraumi (Onomastu collateral damage) expected in Juyyo

Kirinowaka (Michinoku)

Makushita

-------------------

Kobo (Miyagino)

One undisclosed

Collateral Damage

-----------------------

All the rest of Onomatsu including Furuichi and Tokoike

Oyakata

------------

Riji: Musashigawa, Dewanoumi, Kokonoe, Michinoku (Kitanoumi was spared as the committe judged the responsibility was for Kise, prior to the merger)

Rest: Hakkaku, Oguruma, Sadogatake, Sakaigawa, Kasugano, Miyagino, Kise, Onomastu

Likely to be banished: Otake, Tokitsukaze

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At last, the era of Nishonoseki-rijicho will begin.

(I'm kidding, but then he is the director in charge of Nagoya basho...)

Edit: I wonder what the committee interviews revealed so that Otake-oyakata is (allegedly) getting such a harsh punishment.

I think he was the only Oyakata to actually gamble on baseball himself. although I'm pretty sure I read that Tokitsukaze did as well. Jonosuke writes that Tokitsukaze is banished as well, so there's your answer (although in his interview today Ito committee chairman expressly stated that Ootake was the only one that will get "more than dismissal". He also said Ootake was betting most frequently and with high sums of money). I don't get how Kotomitsuki is suddenly saved, as the committee chairman specifically said "His head for sure" yesterday.

Edited by Kintamayama

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At first, Kitanoumi was on the punished list, but his name was withdrawn at the last minute and replaced with Kise. Interesting.

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At last, the era of Nishonoseki-rijicho will begin.

(I'm kidding, but then he is the director in charge of Nagoya basho...)

Edit: I wonder what the committee interviews revealed so that Otake-oyakata is (allegedly) getting such a harsh punishment.

I think he was the only Oyakata to actually gamble on baseball himself. although I'm pretty sure I read that Tokitsukaze did as well.

Otake was considered to be a regular and has been known to be a high roller while Tokitsukaze was more conservative, so he is on the edge. The reason his name comes up is because of his position of authority and an individual expected to coach and lead his recruits.

There was Kakizoe's name as well so I don't know what happened to him, maybe he was into some other form of gambling.

Musashigawa refused to talk to reporters today but implied he would release some sort of comment tomorrow so that should be interesting. Basically he was told to follow the committee's recommendations or cancel the basho. Since he would not be able to do the chairman's duty, the next senior director would be Kitanoumi but he does not want to see Kitanoumi back in the chairman's position even as an acting one, so perhaps Hanaregoma or Tomozuna may be more conventional choice unless the Kyokai moves decisively and appoints Takanohana, so far untarnished with the present mess, except he is losing one of his supporters Otake.

Regarldess Muashigawa is as good as done and his last decision as the chairman is to decide whether to hold or cancel the basho. And then the next guy will have to figure out whether they can even hold Natsu jungyo tour this year.

Actually I feel sorry for Hakuho as fans should be talking about his consecutive records and another yusho basho but instead he has his Tsukebito and oyakata all caught up in the turmoil.

Edited by Jonosuke

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I think he was the only Oyakata to actually gamble on baseball himself. although I'm pretty sure I read that Tokitsukaze did as well.

Otake was considered to be a regular and has been known to be a high roller while Tokitsukaze was more conservative, so he is on the edge. The reason his name comes up is because of his position of authority and an individual expected to coach and lead his recruits.

Do we actually know that Tokitsukaze has gambled while being an oyakata, or did he just admit to doing stuff while still an active rikishi?

... unless the Kyokai moves decisively and appoints Takanohana, so far untarnished with the present mess, except he is losing one of his supporters Otake.

Onomatsu also isn't coming out of this looking all that good. I don't think Taka's in any position to profit from this mess, at least not immediately.

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The Kyokai's Special Investigating Committee Press Conference

==========================================

Q: How did you investigate whether there were any ties to organize crime groups?

Yasushi Murakami, Committee member: Basically we based on each rikishi's testimony. If one does not pay the debts, he is likely to be threatened by them but we also know there are cases individuals were able to quit gambling without being threatened as well. In the current situation we perceived there was no organized crime group involvement in the baseball gambling. We understand that even if they were in the background, there was no direct dealing with them.

Q: Why did you apply more severe treatment to Otake oyakata?

Shigeru Ito, Committee Head: Everything was exceptional in his case.

Q: Don't you feel it's rather difficult to hold the Nagoya Basho now?

Ito: My gut feeling is we will hold one despite having so many rikshi and Kyokai members absent and in suspension.

Q: Will you complete your investigation on all Kyokai members by the start of Nagoya Basho?

Ito: We will be distributing a questionnaire to each member and we will enforce their compliance in responding to us honestly. We will distribute it at the council meeting schedule on June 28. The deadline for their response will be July 2.

Koichiro Mochizuki, Committee member: We will be making it clear who is cleaned and who is not. We will ensure to have those who are not, not to step on the dohyo.

Q: Do you expect the Kyokai to accept unconditionally your recommendations?

Mochizuki: They may find them to be quite extreme. But we approached our tasks with a sense of urgency, sense of crisis that, unless we take drastic actions now, there will be no more Ozumo Kyokai. If they can take a moment to think about our young people, I believe they will understand what we are trying to achieve.

Q: What is your view on the chairman resuming his duty after his suspension?

Ito: We don't know at this point. It should be discussed further at the directors meeting.

Q: Are you attempting for the wholesale renewal of the current Kyokai executives?

Ito: We can get the director of Nagoya Basho, Nishonoseki oyakata (former Sekiwake Kongo) to lead and manager the whole basho operations for the time being. I believe we have sufficient time to complete the reorganization of the executive committee by the Aki Basho.

Q: Have you talked to an oyakata who has been known to have advised Kotomitsuki?

Murakami: Yes, we did investigate him but he we judged him not to have been involved in baseball gambling.

Q: Are you closing down Otake and Tokistukaze Beya?

Ito: Our understanding is that this committee has no such jurisdiction or authority.

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Gambler Blues

Tada tada tada

I don't know how it got to this,

I should have listened to my momma

Instead of listening to

Ounomatsu's tokoyama

Tadadada

Everything happened so quick

One thing led to another

And before I knew what hit me

I was in debt to Furuichi's brother

Tadadadadada

I bet on some baseball

I don't remember the rest

but before the day was over

I was under house arrest

Tadadada

Oyakata said he'd help me

If someone were to find out

But I guess he was too busy gambling

and could't hear me shout

Guitar solo

Now I'm waiting on the Nagoya banzuke

it's going to be tricky

and I suspect a great big hole

Instead of Ozeki Mickey..

Tadadadada

Everyone seems to be involved

all were willing and able

I just heard the news

Ootake is closing his stable

Slow part:

So I've learned my lesson well

as I've seen it with my eyes

All I can hope to do

is try to gambarize..

Tadadadada

Eggs.

Yeah yeah yeah

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While the special committee allowed Musashigawa to continue his chairmanship till July 4, they are requesting the Kyokai to remove him from his post at least ostensibly temporally but in all intents and purposes permanently. Along with him, three directors Dewanoumi, Kokonoe and Michinoku will be facing the same Gambler Blues.

If the Kyokai executives accept the committee's recommendations then we should have quite interesting directors meeting. They basically must pick an acting chairman from the remaining directors and this time around two external directors are in the mix too. The committee wants one of the external directors to take over which if it happens it will be unprecedented. Their choice is Hiroyoshi Murayama, former chief special prosecutor with the Tokyo Superior Prosecutors Office.

Stay tuned.

Edited by Jonosuke

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And just like that, the rijikai came out with this statement after the much-anticipated meeting: "No decisions today..". So, after keeping everyone in suspense (well, a lot was leaked out beforehand, but something major must have happened that caused the whole mechanism to come to an abrupt halt..), no decisions..

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The latest news- Banishment (still not decided if kaiko or the unprecedented jomei) for Ootake and Kotomitsuki, heavy demotion for Tokitsukaze. July 4th is the new date for sentencing. Gambling rikishi names were announced, but Yoshikaze's case is being reviewed and will be decided soon as well.

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Musashigawa rijicho's replacement will be announced on July 2nd.

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The latest news- Banishment (still not decided if kaiko or the unprecedented jomei) for Ootake and Kotomitsuki, heavy demotion for Tokitsukaze.

Tokitsukaze may also still be on the bubble; if I'm reading the latest updates correctly it's "kaiko or worse" for Otake/Kotomitsuki and "demotion or worse" for Tokitsukaze.

Meanwhile, Sponichi reports that Otake-beya's affiliated oyakata Futagoyama (ex-Dairyu) will be approved to take over the Otake kabu and stable in the July 4 meeting, so no heya closure here. (Yeah, he's actually only borrowing his current kabu, but I guess they'll just pretend this away for the time being...)

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Meanwhile, Sponichi reports that Otake-beya's affiliated oyakata Futagoyama (ex-Dairyu) will be approved to take over the Otake kabu and stable in the July 4 meeting, so no heya closure here. (Yeah, he's actually only borrowing his current kabu, but I guess they'll just pretend this away for the time being...)

This will make things interesting as Dairyu will need to buy the share from Otake as it cannot be simply a swap unless the heya is about to close with a retiring shisho. It will mean the money flowing into Otake and I certainly think the Kyokai does not want disgraced oyakata from appearing to profit from his departurue. Futagoayama share can go back Takanohana, no problem (well he has to lend to someone in due course but that should not be a problem at all).

Perhaps Otake's father-in-law is thinking he lived a tad too long to go through all this mess, seeing his former heya in such a dire state.

Edit: Come to think of it, if Otake is forced to Jomei, he will have to return the share to the Kyokai but then how will the Kyokai handle the transfer? One thing they do not want to show is to appearing to set the price of Toshiyori share and obviously they do not give it away free. Perhaps Otake share will disappear from Ozumo history then.

Edited by Jonosuke

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This will make things interesting as Dairyu will need to buy the share from Otake as it cannot be simply a swap unless the heya is about to close with a retiring shisho.

I think they're liberally interpreting their own rules. The article specifically states that "Dairyu's record of 25 juryo tournaments was judged to satisfy the stable succession criterion requiring at least 20 sekitori basho". Of course the common reading of that rule has been that it just applies to family inheritances of kabu that have a heya attached (e.g. the Kanechika/Miyagino deal), so it's getting stretched a bit here, not least because Dairyu already is an oyakata.

It will mean the money flowing into Otake and I certainly think the Kyokai does not want disgraced oyakata from appearing to profit from his departurue. Futagoayama share can go back Takanohana, no problem (well he has to lend to someone in due course but that should not be a problem at all).

I think they'll just pretend that Futagoyama magically found the money to pay Takanohana for his current share and that it's an equal swap between Otake and Futagoyama. They can't avoid some money going to ex-Takatoriki anyway, unless they totally strip him of the share - at a minimum he's going to get paid when ex-Kobo or whoever borrows Futagoyama-kabu from him in the future. (And then he'll probably be looking to sell the share quickly, if his gambling debts are as high as insinuated. In other words, chances are that Takanohana will own Futagoyama-kabu again after all is said and done.)

Edit in response to Jonosuke's edit: Knowing how the Kyokai operates, I really doubt they actually will strip him of the share. If that means they can't jomei him, then they won't. Nonetheless, are you sure jomei would definitely require him to relinquish the kabu? I don't get the impression that their formal rules are that detailed.

Edited by Asashosakari

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The papers said awhile back that the new Otake Beya under construction due to be finished next June cost 6 oku...yen. Wait, I can't think how much that is.. 600 million yen? What is going to happen there? Who paid it? Who can pay it?? Even if it is a loan the contract is done so someone has to pay it. The old building was gone before the last basho ended and the boys are in a temporary place now.

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What Viki pointed out will make another dimension. If they are already in temporary location, they might as well be merged with another. Everyone including the Kyokai knows we have way too many heya, they certainly can close down a dozen or so easily.

I am sure Taiho owns the land so they probably able to pay for it some way.

Regarding Daiyu. How about this scneario. He will take over Otake beya and raname it to Futagoyama Beya, and in short time, he will merge it with Takanohana Beya and he will be back to an oyakata associated with Takanohana Beya. In time Takanohana gives back his one generation share and becomes Futagoyama oyakata and Futagoyaama Beya shisho.

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