New committee established to deal with gamblers

[Umigame 82]

If the association -- tight or light -- with yakuza is not affecting the sport as a sport, who cares? Yakuza are a police problem, not something that a sports assoc should have to turn themselves inside out for. We know that yakuza are involved in all sorts of industries. Are they closed down? Is all construction at a standstill? Are movies still being made? Are banks still open? This is just madness! If the yakuza are causing bouts to be thrown, step on them. Otherwise, let's get on with ozumo!

Actually, Japan Subculture Research Center just published an update with more info backing up their original claim that this Sumo gambling scandal is just one battle in a war between the NPA and the Kodo-kai. New article is here:

http://www.japansubculture.com/2010/07/cra...kuza-operation/

The new article provides an answer your question, which is: Yes, the police are in fact teaming up with (or putting pressure on) "all sorts of industries", including

- Boxing

- Baseball

- Public housing

- Magazines sold by convenience stores

- Banks

- Metropolitan public works projects

Personally I believe this is a good thing, and I hope the sumo association will continue to be pressured into cooperating as much as possible.

[Asashosakari 20,225]

Hey, remember this?

Musashigawa oyakata is expected to return to his duty around August 10. He has been hospitalized since early July due to complications resulting from high blood pressure. A report surfaced that Dewanoumi oyakata was told of a detail of organized crime member attending Natsu Basho but did not report to the chairman. The ticket was traced to a manger of boxing gym where Kyokai's external member Hirosuke Yamaguchi is its highest officer.

It turns out that Dewanoumi fibbed things a bit - per an official (!) Kyokai release made yesterday he actually did notify Musashigawa-rijicho of the Yamaguchi issue at the end of May, but the consensus of the Kyokai's two top men was that this would "not be a hindrance" to Yamaguchi's subsequent inclusion in the special investigative committee because he had no personal connection to the questionable ticket deal. Of course, other people didn't react quite so blas

Edited July 30, 2010 by Asashosakari

[Jonosuke 28]

While I agree with Musashi/Dewano that this is really nothing matter as not only the external guy had nothing to do with ticket transfer that even the boxing gym manager did not know how the ticket got to an organized crime member. Actually he was more than upset that it happened though it appeared to me he doth protest rather loudly.

But having said all that this Musashi/Dewano thing is just typical of how the Kyokai has been operating - it's business as usual for them. The top two or three guys get together and talk in private and decide for themselves any issues that crop without telling anyone else (well by the time anyone else finds out, it's usually a done deal).

When they are promising transparency all around, they think nothing of settling matters behind the doors. The culture is steeped so deep they don't feel anything strange that most especially those politicians and bureaucrats at Ministry of EduSci insisted they bring external directors and auditors in as well as set up a committee made up exclusively with non-Kyokai people.

The perception by the general public still persists rightly and justifiably that the Kyokai is a closed society that their common sense is uncommon sense for the rest of society.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Jonosuke

[Kintamayama 47,191]

Two rikishi from Matsugane beya are being charged with baseball gambling. One is from Juryo, so it has to be Matsutani and the other is from Sandanme (Wakarikidou maybe?).

[Kintamayama 47,191]

The committee discussed three ongoing affairs today:

1. Sakaigawa Oyakata's renting lodgings from a gangster - case dismissed.

2. Matsugane Oyakata's renting lodgings from a gangster - investigation to continue.

3. Sanoyama Oyakata(ex- Chiyotaikai)'s heavy gambling - investigation to continue.

Edited August 12, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 47,191]

Two rikishi from Matsugane beya are being charged with baseball gambling. One is from Juryo, so it has to be Matsutani and the other is from Sandanme (Wakarikidou maybe?).

Confirmed- Matsutani and Wakarikidou. They held a press conference today."With all this talk about the underworld I was too scared to come forward. I will receive my punishment sincerely!" said Matsutani. "The story became so widespread I could not admit to it.., " added Wakarikidou. "With this coming to light, I wonder about my leadership ..," added Matsugane Oyakata, who now has to worry about this on top of the suspicion that he rented lodgings from gangsters.

Edited August 12, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Yubinhaad 11,958]

Two rikishi from Matsugane beya are being charged with baseball gambling. One is from Juryo, so it has to be Matsutani and the other is from Sandanme (Wakarikidou maybe?).

Confirmed- Matsutani and Wakarikidou. They held a press conference today."With all this talk about the underworld I was too scared to come forward. I will receive my punishment sincerely!" said Matsutani. "The story became so widespread I could not admit to it.., " added Wakarikidou. "With this coming to light, I wonder about my leadership ..," added Matsugane Oyakata, who now has to worry about this on top of the suspicion that he rented lodgings from gangsters.

Are they likely to receive a harsher punishment (eg, two basho suspension) for not coming forward? Both competed in the Nagoya basho while their fellow gamblers were at home learning their lessons.

[Asashosakari 20,225]

Confirmed- Matsutani and Wakarikidou. They held a press conference today."With all this talk about the underworld I was too scared to come forward. I will receive my punishment sincerely!" said Matsutani. "The story became so widespread I could not admit to it.., " added Wakarikidou.

Their names were unearthed as part of the police investigation into the whole Furuichi brothers web. Police informed Matsugane-oyakata about their findings at the end of July, who reported it to then-acting rijicho Murayama. Details: After a degeiko session at Onomatsu-beya back in 2008, Furuchi the rikishi roped in Matsutani, who then persuaded his stablemate Wakarikido to give it a shot as well. Both were active in gambling on baseball from about March to July of that year, Matsutani placing some 15 bets in the 10,000 yen range, Wakarikido three in the 5,000 yen range.

Their fate may not be decided until September 6 when the next scheduled riji meeting is set to take place; it's currently rumoured that everything up to a dismissal is in the cards, mostly because of their additional crime of not disclosing their involvement when the Kyokai circulated those questionnaires a couple of months ago. Matsugane might of course also not evade punishment here, even independent of what may still come out about his lodging issues.

Edited August 13, 2010 by Asashosakari

[Peterao 3]

The chances of the next basho being televised on NHK were already slim and none. With this news, slim just left town (IMHO).

[Kotoviki 16]

Confirmed- Matsutani and Wakarikidou. They held a press conference today."With all this talk about the underworld I was too scared to come forward. I will receive my punishment sincerely!" said Matsutani. "The story became so widespread I could not admit to it.., " added Wakarikidou.

Their names were unearthed as part of the police investigation into the whole Furuichi brothers web. Police informed Matsugane-oyakata about their findings at the end of July, who reported it to then-acting rijicho Murayama. Details: After a degeiko session at Onomatsu-beya back in 2008, Furuchi the rikishi roped in Matsutani, who then persuaded his stablemate Wakarikido to give it a shot as well. Both were active in gambling on baseball from about March to July of that year, Matsutani placing some 15 bets in the 10,000 yen range, Wakarikido three in the 5,000 yen range.

Their fate may not be decided until September 6 when the next scheduled riji meeting is set to take place; it's currently rumoured that everything up to a dismissal is in the cards, mostly because of their additional crime of not disclosing their involvement when the Kyokai circulated those questionnaires a couple of months ago. Matsugane might of course also not evade punishment here, even independent of what may still come out about his lodging issues.

What a shame that at least Wakarikido didn't come clean before 3 bets for 5,000 yen he wouldn't have faced punishment... now he could be in serious trouble for lying!!! (Shaking head...)

[ilovesumo 12]

We can forget about NHK.

[Kintamayama 47,191]

And now, the Kyokai leases land to the guys in dark sunglasses.

[Kintamayama 47,191]

Two rikishi from Matsugane beya are being charged with baseball gambling. One is from Juryo, so it has to be Matsutani and the other is from Sandanme (Wakarikidou maybe?).

Confirmed- Matsutani and Wakarikidou. They held a press conference today."With all this talk about the underworld I was too scared to come forward. I will receive my punishment sincerely!" said Matsutani. "The story became so widespread I could not admit to it.., " added Wakarikidou. "With this coming to light, I wonder about my leadership ..," added Matsugane Oyakata, who now has to worry about this on top of the suspicion that he rented lodgings from gangsters.

The gambling committee looking into Matsugane and his two deshi's actions is slated to decide on their punishment on the 8th during the committee meeting to be held then.

Edited September 6, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 47,191]

The committee looking into Matsugane and his two deshi's actions is slated to decide on their punishment on the 8th during the temporary rijikai to be held then.

My sources say Matsugane gets demoted by two ranks and Matsutani/Wakarikidou will be suspended for 2 or perhaps three basho.

Edited September 6, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 47,191]

The chances of the next basho being televised on NHK were already slim and none. With this news, slim just left town (IMHO).

1-1

[Kintamayama 47,191]

Already punished figures will be additionally punished, as I promised earlier. Sadogatake Oyakata is to be demoted two ranks for not guiding ex-Kotomitsuki well enough to prevent him from falling into his bad habits. The gambling committee itself did not discuss this, but at the special rijikai held later some Oyakata suggested it, and it is apparently a done deal.

Mind you, this is all rumors, but my sources are usually right. We'll know on the fifth.

BTW, this committee led by Mr. Ito the Quirky will be disbanded after the eighth, I am told.

Edited December 25, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Orion 431]

The chances of the next basho being televised on NHK were already slim and none. With this news, slim just left town (IMHO).

1-1

Already announced on NHK's website for Day 1: Japanese side: Kitanofuji and Mainoumi as usual; English side, Hiro Morita and Stuart Atkin. Subject, of course, to instant cancellation if another scandal erupts. :-)

Orion

[byrns 0]

The chances of the next basho being televised on NHK were already slim and none. With this news, slim just left town (IMHO).

1-1

Already announced on NHK's website for Day 1: Japanese side: Kitanofuji and Mainoumi as usual; English side, Hiro Morita and Stuart Atkin. Subject, of course, to instant cancellation if another scandal erupts. :-)

Orion

Great news! What day will Doreen be on?

[Kintamayama 47,191]

And the actual verdicts:

Sadogatake-demoted two ranks from iin to common toshiyori(salary wise, a big hit, from 1,030,000 t0 810,000)

Matsugane-demoted two ranks from iin to common toshiyori.

Juryo Matsutani and Sandanme Wakarikidou-2 basho suspension.

Furuichi and Tokoike the hairdresser-kaiko dismissal from Sumo.

All 22 rikishi who admitted to gambling, including the 17 suspended received the lightest punishment-kenseki, but I don't understand what that means in concrete terms..

Ex-Chiyotaikai- "Choose to ignore the weekly article"-no punishment

All punishments were per the suggestions of the committee except Sadogatake's, which was decided by the rijikai.

My sources came through swimmingly.

Happy New Year to everyone!!

[Kintamayama 47,191]

Sadogatake-demoted two ranks from iin to common toshiyori(salary wise, a big hit, from 1,030,000 t0 810,000)

Moved to the jungyo office.

Matsugane-demoted two ranks from iin to common toshiyori.

Moved to the Inspection Committee.

Two Oyakata have joined the judging department: Minezaki and Minatogawa.

Edited September 9, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Yubinhaad 11,958]

All 22 rikishi who admitted to gambling, including the 17 suspended received the lightest punishment-kenseki, but I don't understand what that means in concrete terms..

Gaijingai posted a Mainichi article on the mailing list which said they received "only official reprimands."

(Showing respect...) Nice work with this Moti. I think you owe your sources a night on the sauce!

[Asashosakari 20,225]

BTW, this committee led by Mr. Ito the Quirky will be disbanded after the eighth, I am told.

I saw an article before my mini-vacation that a new committee with much the same membership was going to replace it...I forget what they were supposed to concern themselves with (police liaison work while the yakuza connections continue to be stamped out?) - did anything come of that?

[Kintamayama 47,191]

The first outside riji Mr. Murayama has tendered his resignation today. "I was invited to join and bring with me some fresh air from the outside and did my best to make a difference, but I failed on all counts.. I am convinced I should resign now," he said. As for the latest affair- "This touches the very core of Ozumo. It would be totally irresponsible to not do anything. soon, I will devote myself to this problem."

I quit:

Edited February 6, 2011 by Kintamayama

[ilovesumo 12]

Ahhhm....doesn't that mean that Sumo is all rotten and he couldn't do anything to clean it?

[shumitto 418]

Ahhhm....doesn't that mean that Sumo is all rotten and he couldn't do anything to clean it?

When he was an outsider he might have had a pale idea of what issues he would have to be tackling. Now that he is in and digging deeper, this huge task has grown unfeasible to his eyes....