Another new committee-the Governance

[Kintamayama 45,571]

The governance is a new committee consisting of 11 non-sumo figures who will try to oversee reforms or whatever it is this time, commissioned by the Ministry of Etc.. They will have three sumo "observers", though-the nominated ones are Michinoku, Hakkaku and Oguruma Oyakatas- two under house arrest, the other one with gambling rikishi. "Isn't it a bit weird that we may have "house arrested" observers?", mused a member. "The Kyokai'observers' are needed to explain what went on till now. I understand there is a problem, but it is not final yet," explained Temprij Murayama. The decision on who the 11 governance members will be will be made on the 9th. Their main job will be reforms and to see to it that whatever ties the Kyokai still has to the underworld will be severed. Some people are saying that the presence of Kyokai "observers" may seriously hamper the committee's work.

[ilovesumo 12]

I bet there are many Oyakata without any interest in actively taking part in governance..........(I only know of one for sure)

[Asashosakari 19,694]

The governance is a new committee consisting of 11 non-sumo figures who will try to oversee reforms or whatever it is this time, commissioned by the Ministry of Etc.. They will have three sumo "observers", though-the nominated ones are Michinoku, Hakkaku and Oguruma Oyakatas- two under house arrest, the other one with gambling rikishi. "Isn't it a bit weird that we may have "house arrested" observers?", mused a member. "The Kyokai'observers' are needed to explain what went on till now. I understand there is a problem, but it is not final yet," explained Temprij Murayama. The decision on who the 11 governance members will be will be made on the 9th. Their main job will be reforms and to see to it that whatever ties the Kyokai still has to the underworld will be severed. Some people are saying that the presence of Kyokai "observers" may seriously hamper the committee's work.

FWIW and I may have misunderstood this, but it seems three of the 11 members were nominated by the rijikai (beyond the observer-only oyakatas)...still external candidates, but apparently some that were palatable to the directors. Also, and I'm even less sure of this - the three external directors/supervisors Murayama/Ito/Yoshino apparently aren't part of these 11.

Edit: The articles I saw were too courteous to mention it, but Oguruma of course also enjoyed his own temporary demotion thanks to Wakakirin not too long ago.

Edit #2: I will likely insist on mis-calling the new committee "the Governess".

Edited July 8, 2010 by Asashosakari

[Kintamayama 45,571]

Recommended for Governess head - Takayasu Okushima, 71, head of the Japanese High School Baseball Federation (irony icon). the other 10 non-Kyokai members have not been announced. As for the Kyokai observer, the name being kicked around at the moment is Takanohana, if he doesn't resign by dawn or something.

Edited July 9, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,571]

Members:

Takayasu Okushima-chairman

Miki Watanabe (Watami, a restaurant chain) - chairman

Ichiro Nitta- Professor-head of Tokyo Universirty's Sumo club

Female non-fiction writer Mayumi Mori.

Koichi Okamoto -professor at a girl's college

Takanobu Nagashima -professor and economist

Ted Sugawara- lawyer for sports arbitration

Hiroaki Kogure-Japan aikido chairman, recommended by the Kyokai

and a few others whose names I dare not try to guess:

前田雅英 - Scholar of criminal law

深沢直之- member of the Japan lawyer's association, former head of the anti-racketeering committee

山本浩, ex-NHK guy, professor of law and politics

If anyone knows more about these people feel free to enlighten the masses.

As for the Kyokai "observers", they will have no voting rights, and have yet to be chosen.

Edited July 10, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Sasanishiki 57]

前田雅英 - Scholar of criminal law

深沢直之- member of the Japan lawyer's association, former head of the anti-racketeering committee

山本浩, ex-NHK guy, professor of law and politics

If anyone knows more about these people feel free to enlighten the masses.

As for the Kyokai "observers", they will have no voting rights, and have yet to be chosen.

Readings are:

Maeda Masahide (definitely)

Fukazawa Naoyuki (could be Fukasawa)

Yamamoto Hiroshi (definitely)

Also, the reading should be Nakajima Takanobu, a professor of economics at Keio University. He wrote "Ozumo no Keizaigaku" (The Economics of Ozumo), Chikuma Shobo, 2008.

Perhaps Petr could tell us more about Nitta Ichiro. I met him once, and he is also the author of "Sumo no Rekishi" (A History of Sumo), Yamagawa Shuppansha, 1994.

[Kintamayama 45,571]

The new Governance Committee for reform in Sumo is slated to convene for the first time tomorrow, and some of the proposals are already being leaked. "What does a 'business' like sumo need 12 rijis given its economic size?? 6 is enough - I'd go with 2 ex-rikishi and 4 outside guys" said co-chairman and businessman Miki Watanabe, aiming to change the age- old business model of the Kyokai. Other ideas-lowering the number of heyas to 30-35 and a major overhaul of the toshiyori stock system. "Should we drastically change the age old systems or should we do this slowly and carefully? Sumo has been around for many years but some decisions have to be reached quickly!", added Yamamoto member. As for the Kyokai observers, Tamanoi and Oguruma are the "hot" names at the moment. Interesting days ahead..

[Asashosakari 19,694]

The new Governance Committee for reform in Sumo is slated to convene for the first time tomorrow, and some of the proposals are already being leaked. "What does a 'business' like sumo need 12 rijis given its economic size?? 6 is enough - I'd go with 2 ex-rikishi and 4 outside guys" said co-chairman and businessman Miki Watanabe, aiming to change the age- old business model of the Kyokai. Other ideas-lowering the number of heyas to 30-35 and a major overhaul of the toshiyori stock system. "Should we drastically change the age old systems or should we do this slowly and carefully? Sumo has been around for many years but some decisions have to be reached quickly!", added Yamamoto member. As for the Kyokai observers, Tamanoi and Oguruma are the "hot" names at the moment. Interesting days ahead..

Some professor guy (sorry, too lazy to go back and find his name) also said he's in favour of cutting back to 4 basho per year and to get the Kyokai to do more jungyo instead because, y'know, they're a national institution and should be making themselves available more widely, and because he thinks going out into the country is the only way to find the stars of the future. (Is it still 1950?) He didn't elaborate on where exactly the Kyokai is supposed to find so many more locations that are a) even interested in having a jungyo and b) won't be major money-losing propositions. Did I mention this guy wrote about the economics of sumo?

I have a feeling I'm going to get plenty of use out of this smiley in the near future: :-S

Edit: BTW, as you may have surmised already nothing came of the idea to create a competing oyakata-only reform committee. After the attempt to install Hanaregoma as temprij instead of Murayama failed they apparently concluded it wouldn't be the best move to do something that would likely be perceived as trying to forestall the outside-based reform efforts.

Edited July 15, 2010 by Asashosakari

[Kintamayama 45,571]

The committee convened for the first time today for 2 hours and 40 minutes. Main decisions:

1. Next meeting- July 24th and from now on-once a week.

2. Reforms proposals will be presented by the end of the year, and by next March at the latest.

3. Mr. Okushima was voted chairman, and Mr. Nakajima, vice-chairman.

4. There will be no Kyokai observers, contrary to the Kyokai's demands. "We want to be seen as totally independent of any Kyokai pressure", said the new chairman. Instead of "observers" the Kyokai will be allowed to send "persons of interest' who will be sitting in another room and will be called upon for consultations/ideas if and when needed. Members of the outside officials of the Kyokai, including Tempriji, were asked to leave the meeting at a certain point today. "As a rule they (Kyokai) will not be allowed to participate. When you view their current situation, it would be best if we insist on being a totally 'outside' committee with no pressures," said the new chairman in his own words.

Edited July 16, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Asashosakari 19,694]

The committee's first goal will be to reform the framework for the special contribution seats and, more generally, getting the yakuza out of sumo. Proposals to achieve are already planned to be ready by Aki basho. All the other areas (reforming the heya system, the toshiyori system, the riji system, etc. p.p.) are on a much longer timetable, at least 2-3 years by the chairman's admission, though as Kinta mentioned the overall framework for that is supposedly going to be ready by next spring.

Bold prediction: The committee will quickly have to realize they've bitten off as much as (and possibly more than) they can chew with the yakuza issue alone, and all the other stuff will be slowly watered down and/or drop out of sight before too long.

[Orion 431]

The committee's first goal will be to reform the framework for the special contribution seats and, more generally, getting the yakuza out of sumo. Proposals to achieve are already planned to be ready by Aki basho. All the other areas (reforming the heya system, the toshiyori system, the riji system, etc. p.p.) are on a much longer timetable, at least 2-3 years by the chairman's admission, though as Kinta mentioned the overall framework for that is supposedly going to be ready by next spring.

Bold prediction: The committee will quickly have to realize they've bitten off as much as (and possibly more than) they can chew with the yakuza issue alone, and all the other stuff will be slowly watered down and/or drop out of sight before too long.

Agreed. FWIW,

Orion

[Petr 0]

Perhaps Petr could tell us more about Nitta Ichiro. I met him once, and he is also the author of "Sumo no Rekishi" (A History of Sumo), Yamagawa Shuppansha, 1994.

I can't think of anyone more suitable for this job:

Professor of Japanese history and law

Author of several sumo books - most recently Sumo no himitsu - which is not about what you think but about sumo technique

An accomplished former student sumo wrestler

and although his hair is completely white by now he is still an active coach - every week he puts on his mawashi to train the students

(the deal with his concerned wife is that if one year he can't beat some of the newcomer students, he will stop wrestling and will instruct just from his zabuton)

that's about all i can write here, i guess

[Asashosakari 19,694]

Transplanted from another thread:

The committee also indicated that they have held another discussion on the Kyokai's request to have oyakata representatives present at the committee meetings and decided to grant an observer status to a representative from the Kyokai after the majority members voted for it (by 6 to 5). The name of oyakata has not yet to be decided.

And in the usual fashion it's no less than five observing oyakata now, one for each ichimon: Kasugano (Dewanoumi), Minatogawa (Nishonoseki), Kasugayama (Tatsunami), Katsunoura (Tokitsukaze) and Oyama (Takasago). They'll be present for the third meeting tomorrow.

[Asashosakari 19,694]

The committee's first goal will be to reform the framework for the special contribution seats ...

And in the course of that, another problem with the special tickets has been uncovered. Starting with a bit of exposition:

As detailed before, a certain amount of financial assistance to the Kyokai (at least 3.9 million yen for Tokyo, 1.3 million for the other locations) will result in the Kyokai showing its gratitude by assigning you one of 300 special ringside seats for 6 years, meaning you receive individual tickets for each honbasho day in your location. For convenience, people owning such a seat would often have a local chaya handling the tickets for them, and although that technically doesn't change the fact that only the original contributor is eligible to use the tickets, it's pretty much taken as read that the chayas were reselling daily tickets that the seat holder wasn't planning to use.

Now, when a seat holder passes away, the rights to the seat are supposed to return to the Kyokai. Not only has that sometimes not happened, but it has now been found that some chayas even proceeded to make further contributions in the name of the late seat holders so that they could continue to get their hands on the special tickets. Needless to say, the Kyokai has another bunch of egg on its face, having to admit to the independent committee that they don't really have any kind of grasp on how these special tickets have been used, and by whom.

The Asahi article proceeds to talk about the yobidashi implicated in the Yamaguchi/boxing gym ticket transfer, but I'm not sure if they're tying it to these chaya shenanigans, or just putting the issues side by side. Can somebody help?

今回の問題では、元呼び出しの男性が所有する席の入場整理券が複数の介在者を通じて暴力団関係者に流れたことや、この元呼び出しが家族名義などで３席を所有していることが明らかになった。

Edited July 30, 2010 by Asashosakari

[Doitsuyama 1,194]

As detailed before, a certain amount of financial assistance to the Kyokai (at least 3.9 million yen for Tokyo, 1.3 million for the other locations) ... <snip>

I can't help you with the translation but I'm wondering if there was something lost as 3.9 million yen isn't that much actually.

[Asashosakari 19,694]

I can't help you with the translation but I'm wondering if there was something lost as 3.9 million yen isn't that much actually.

Depends...that works out to about 14,400 yen per ticket. Anyway:

維持員席は、各場所３００席。国技館は３９０万円以上、地方場所は１３０万円以上を協会に寄付し、理事会の承認を受けた「維持員」に６年間、１人につき１席が協会から直接割り当てられるのが原則。

[Jonosuke 28]

I can't help you with the translation but I'm wondering if there was something lost as 3.9 million yen isn't that much actually.

Depends...that works out to about 14,400 yen per ticket. Anyway:

Actually the average going rate for the ticket is around 15,000 yen if you can find someone to sell it to you.

I guess the point is that you've got to pay the whole 3.9 million yen to get them and they only allocate 300 seats per basho so even in the times of bad economy, not many will give up the right to make the donation. Most have inherited the membership from their father or grandfather.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Jonosuke

[Jonosuke 28]

At their third meeting held at the Kokugikan on July 31, the Kyokai's so-called Independent Governance Committee discussed concrete steps the Kyokai could make to eliminate the organized crime group influence.

On this day five oyakata representing their Ichimon attended the session as observers however the committee members made efforts to include them in the process by soliciting their opinion as well as teaching them on the basic knowledge of Kyokai inner working, The oyakata also told the members their own view on current relationships within Ozumo with organized crime groups.

"We had frank exchanges of information with the oyakata. Our impression was that they were fully aware of what the ultimate aim was and they were dealing issues in their own way at present. We were able to arrive at a point of mutual understanding. We are moving forward," the committee's chairman Takayasu Okushima said.

The committee is planning to table their recommendations including forbidding any rikishi, oyakata or Kyokai member to have any relationship with organized crime group related members, participating in gambling activities and mandating any Kyokai member learning of any illegal activities to report promptly to the Kyokai chairman.

The specific measures being discussed were and to be finalized at their next meeting were:

1. Declaration of elimination of organized crime group relationships

2. Setting up a committee within the Kyoka to discuss measures to deal with organized crime groups

3. Ban on any social or professional relationships with organized crime group members by Kyokai members, rikishi, oyakata

4. Ban on any illegal gambling activity

5. Obligation to report immediately any pertinent information relating to activity specifically banned by the Kyokai to the chairman

The committee is also recommending the Kyokai to closely work with the National Police Agency and to set up a regular conference to come up with firm measures to eliminate organized crime group influences from the Kyokai.

The committee's chair Takayasu Oikushima also expressed that the committee wants an external chairman to continue as the head of the Kyokai for foreseeable future. The Kyokai chairman Musashigawa oyakata is currently hospitalized but is expected to be back to resume his duty around August 10. With his return, the acting chairman Hiroyoshi Murayama will return the responsibility back to the oyakata.

"I believe there will be a change of the Kyokai chairman. We feel a non-Kyokai member should assume the responsibility for the time being. Until we can put the reforms firmly in place, we would like to see an external chairman to show the leadership," Okushima said. Minister of Education and Science Tatsuo Kawabata is asking the current acting chairman Murayama to stay so that he can continue the measures and processes he has initiated since taking over the chairmanship from Musashigawa oyakata.

The chairman is elected by the board of director members, currently made up with 10 oyakata and two external representatives. Certain oyakata voiced their displeasure by expressing that the independent committee has no such jurisdiction or authority to make such a demand.

At their next meeting to be held on August 12, the committee is planning to invite rikishi representatives to hear their opinion and suggestions to the Kyokai. Some of the items in their agenda are an article reported in the weekly Shukan Shincho linking Sanoyama oyakata to gambling activity, a series of reports surfaced on real estate deals with organized crime group members relating to Matsugane Beya's Osaka camp and Sakaigawa Beya's Nagoya camp and a survey result on regional heya camps.

As well Hiroaki Kogure (Director of Itochu Trading company) will table his proposal to strengthen Kyokai's crisis management and public relations structures and to set up a new post of Deputy Kyokai Chairman position to be appointed from outside the Kyokai.

Takayasu Okushima, Committee chairman

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

"Initially there was a sense of both sides exchanging Tsuppari but now I am starting to get a feeling of both sides building mutual understanding. On our side we were able to get a good opportunity to recognize the reality the sumo world faces once again and to acquire the fundamental knowledge on the Kyokai workings. I believe we were able to convey to the oyakata that we were not here to destroy all what they believed in, that we didn't come over here to destroy the Kyokai and what it stood for."

Miki Watanabe, member

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

"When we asked directly and straightforward to the oyakata if they had absolutely no involvement with organized crime groups, all five oyakta stated they had not. I took it as meaning it was a misunderstanding by the general public. They also indicated they would like us to work together with them. I personally felt we were able to accomplish a great deal and it was all well worthwhile."

Mayumi Mori, member

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

"I was able to learn many things which I had no knowledge of such as the rituals and customs as well as about Ichimon. I heard that the life at heya is far more frugal than what I imagined it to be. They file their tax returns on gifts received so more than I expected they have been managing their business properly."

Naoyuki Fukazawa, member

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

"I believe the question is once we throw out our ball in their court, how the Kyokai will respond and if they have an ability to perform their self-cleansing."

Masahide Maeda, member

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

"As I have stated previously, the main players are the rikishi and the oyakata. Nothing has changed in that respect. This is not something we can rush ahead and get it over with them quickly. We need to take time to listen to the oyakata and Kyokai and consider seriously their concerns and then we should meet again on August 12 to discuss further. We have to get the Kyokai's oyakata and rikishi in the process as they are the ones who will need to work towards eliminating the influences. We need to have their buy-in."

Kasugayama oyakata (former Makuuchi Kasugafuji)

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

"Young oyakata are holding study sessions. Among oyakata there are opinions that we too need to seriously consider the current situation and propose our own reform agenda as well"

Oyama oyakata (former Makuuchi Daihi)

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

"We must admit our impression of this committee has changed significantly as we realized they are not just anti-Kyokai, anti-Ozumo and they are trying to help us rebuild."

Edited July 31, 2010 by Jonosuke

[Asashosakari 19,694]

The specific measures being discussed were and to be finalized at their next meeting were:

1. Declaration of elimination of organized crime group relationships

2. Setting up a committee within the Kyoka to discuss measures to deal with organized crime groups

3. Ban on any social or professional relationships with organized crime group members by Kyokai members, rikishi, oyakata

4. Ban on any illegal gambling activity

5. Obligation to report immediately any pertinent information relating to activity specifically banned by the Kyokai to the chairman

The committee is also recommending the Kyokai to closely work with the National Police Agency and to set up a regular conference to come up with firm measures to eliminate organized crime group influences from the Kyokai.

BTW, notably not present among the measures to be proposed - despite being under discussion - are any pertaining to yaocho, after the Kyokai protested that no such thing exists. (No, I'm not making this up.)

[Asashosakari 19,694]

Edit: BTW, as you may have surmised already nothing came of the idea to create a competing oyakata-only reform committee.

And the idea is back on again...Tatsunami-ichimon held a group meeting today at which they decided to put forth a plan. The next toshiyori-kai, the general meeting of all the non-executive oyakata is scheduled for the 23rd at which it will be decided whether or not to create such a reform committee. Kasugayama-oyakata, the ichimon's observing representative on the independent governance committee, emphasized that this move is not to be seen as competition or even resistance to that committee, just as a way to gather further opinions and ideas from the oyakata.

Edited August 2, 2010 by Asashosakari

[Jonosuke 28]

According to one of the observers of the Independent Committee, Kasugayama oyakata, the idea of Kyokai member's reform committee has been endorsed by the Independent Committee and currently an idea is to form such a committee with a couple of oyakata from each Ichimon with the core made up of oyakata in their 40s. "It's good to have everyone approaching this with a sense of crisis and urgency," said the chairman of Toshioyori Association, Oguruma oyakata.

Meanwhile there was certain resistance among oyakata to disclosing the name of owners who rent them a training camp facility at a regional basho in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. "We have maintained a cordial relationship with them now and we should think seriously of consequence of making the information public," an oyakata commented. Responding to their concerns, the Kyokai decided not to disclose the owner registration log at this time.

The Kyokai's Deputy Director Public Relations Hakkaku oyakata told reporters that the Kyokai Chairman Musashigawa oayakta is not expected to attend a special directors meeting scheduled on August 4. Musashigawa oyakata was hospitalized for over a month but since July 29, he is resting at home.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Meanwhile there was certain resistance among oyakata to disclosing the name of owners who rent them a training camp facility at a regional basho in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. "We have maintained a cordial relationship with them now and we should think seriously of consequence of making the information public," an oyakata commented. Responding to their concerns, the Kyokai decided not to disclose the owner registration log at this time.

Any time these requests for information are voluntary, there will be stonewalling and coverups. The addresses of the training camps should be traced to the owners, and lists compiled that way. Without some investigative work by the outside committees and the police to gather and vet the information, it will be business as usual.

[Asashosakari 19,694]

Any time these requests for information are voluntary, there will be stonewalling and coverups. The addresses of the training camps should be traced to the owners, and lists compiled that way. Without some investigative work by the outside committees and the police to gather and vet the information, it will be business as usual.

Actually I do understand the objections this time; my understanding is that the oyakata weren't just requested to say who their benefactors are, but also provide information about who's behind those, as in, the exact ownership details. Who's to say the oyakata actually know those details? Given the current environment I'd rather stonewall than give information I don't know to be absolutely true, too. Anyway, what you've suggested is exactly the compromise that was reached - the oyakata have given the addresses of their lodging arrangements and the governance committee (or was it the special investigation committee, I forget) will investigate the ownership structure of the premises.

[Jonosuke 28]

Basically the oyakata are raising an issue of privacy but I really do not see what they are trying to protect. In the neighborhoods they camp, just about everyone knows who owns the land and house. Most are shrines and temples or old factory warehouses.

As Otoko san says, the records can be easily checked at a local registrar's office. I personally think their objection lies elsewhere. By disclosing their chummy relationships, something else will be highlighted, financial arrangements. In Japan when you rent an apartment, it's not just the first and last rent you pay but you also need to cough up a little bit extra to the owner, an appreciation.

There is no question certain amount of money is paid to the owner or the owner may waive it. It's a business arrangement but all these monies should be properly reported for tax purpose but I doubt they are doing it right now. If the owner waive it, it is a contribution to the heya and it is a revenue in a sense so it must be reported. If the owner is receiving some money then he will have to report it too. All these things will be checked up if the records become public and I am sure the tax agency will be interested in that if nothing has been reported for all those years.

One thing glaringly lacking with the Kyokai and members has been pointed out countless time and it is transparency.

Edited August 4, 2010 by Jonosuke

[Asashosakari 19,694]

As Otoko san says, the records can be easily checked at a local registrar's office.

Sure, but do you think the oyakata have ever actually done that? Seems a bit much to ask them to essentially go to three different cities on short notice and check those registries, or risk giving wrong information (which we all should realize could be extremely detrimental to them right now). None of the articles I skimmed implied any sort of opposition to having the special committee find the relevant information, just to making the oyakata give it themselves. The fact that the committee dropped the request this quickly and immediately went for an alternative solution is reason enough to believe they also realized it was inappropriate.

There is no question certain amount of money is paid to the owner or the owner may waive it. It's a business arrangement but all these monies should be properly reported for tax purpose but I doubt they are doing it right now. If the owner waive it, it is a contribution to the heya and it is a revenue in a sense so it must be reported.

Well, you yourself just wrote a few days ago that the observing oyakata told the governance committee that gifts, donations etc. are properly reported by the various heya. I'm sure the fiscal reporting isn't uniformly optimal, but clearly the issue is known and relevant to each stable-owning oyakata. Large-scale tax evasion would have to be considered a ticking time bomb, ever since the late Futagoyama's well-publicized tax issues. (And didn't Kitanoumi or some other high-profile guy also have a run-in with the tax men even earlier?)

If the owner is receiving some money then he will have to report it too. All these things will be checked up if the records become public and I am sure the tax agency will be interested in that if nothing has been reported for all those years.

I'd be quite surprised if the tax agencies had never investigated these things, at least on the side of the lessors who surely had their businesses audited at some point. (Excluding shrines etc. who may be tax-exempt themselves, I suppose.) The property ownership records are public after all, as you just confirmed, and as for the rest - either there are written records about the leasing arrangements, in which case they were principally always available for investigation by the tax agency and are likely in good order anyway, or there aren't such written records, in which case there's nothing to make public now.

Edited August 4, 2010 by Asashosakari