Like being conquered by Genghis Khan

[madorosumaru]

Ozeki Hakuho paid an official visit to Prime Minister Koizumi at the latter's residence. After the usual exchange of formalities and pleasantries, the Japanese prime minister lauded the Mongolian ozeki for winning his first tournament championship in May. "If you achieve yusho again next basho, both the East and West Yokozuna would be Mongolian," Koizumi said. "It would be as if we were conquered by Genghis Khan."

The minister heaped further praises. "[Hakuho] possesses a sense of stability. He is stronger than the other ozeki that preceded him." Koizumi concluded by telling the young hero, "I want you to become a strong and tough yokozuna--the kind that will make people resent you." By that, he, of course, was referring to the quintessential "heel" yokozuna, Asashoryu.

Hakuho told the press afterwards, "I was really, really nervous. I realize that next basho is tsunatori so I shall gambarize."

[Jonosuke]

It's really great to see Hakuho looking regal and already yokozuna-like but I am wondering if there is a custom behind a new ozeki winning his first yusho paying a visit to the Prime Minister.

Koizumi became PM in 2001 and Tochiazuma was promoted to Ozeki after 2001 Kyushu. He proceeded to win his first yusho in his first Ozeki basho at the 2002 Hatsu but as far as I can recall, he never paid a visit to Koizumi.

Or is my recollection faulty?

But then there is no question Hakuho will be a future yokozuna but at the time Tochiazuma was perceived to be heading into the direction as well.

[Mark Buckton]

I think you'll find Junichiro knows all the best 'keep my face in the media' photo ops - and wasn't around when Tochi made it - was he?

I don't recall any of the four PMs I have seen in Japan spending so much time doing the photo rounds. (Hashimoto / Obuchi / Mori or Koizumi)

[Kintamayama]

The bigger picture:

[Coo-cook]

I heard Koizumi will visit Mongolia for the 800th anniversary of the founding of Mongol Empire celebration.

Probably, it's something to do with it.

Edited June 27, 2006 by Coo-cook

[BuBa]

I heard Koizumi will visit Mongolia for the 800th anniversary of the founding of Mongol Empire celebration.

Probably, it's something to do with it.

Aren't we going to celebrate an annivesary of Mongolian State, instead of Empire?

[serv]

It's really great to see Hakuho looking regal and already yokozuna-like but I am wondering if there is a custom behind a new ozeki winning his first yusho paying a visit to the Prime Minister.

Koizumi became PM in 2001 and Tochiazuma was promoted to Ozeki after 2001 Kyushu. He proceeded to win his first yusho in his first Ozeki basho at the 2002 Hatsu but as far as I can recall, he never paid a visit to Koizumi.

Or is my recollection faulty?

But then there is no question Hakuho will be a future yokozuna but at the time Tochiazuma was perceived to be heading into the direction as well.

well, time changes and things change too. I guess Koizumi thought it was a good idea to support the new Ozeki Hakuho in order to win many Mongolian fans in Mongolia.

PM Koizumi is visitting Mongolia this August and I think Japanese and Mongolian governments are signing on a huge project that would benefit Japan in a way of using/borrowing/leasing natural resources and lands.

[serv]

I heard Koizumi will visit Mongolia for the 800th anniversary of the founding of Mongol Empire celebration.

Probably, it's something to do with it.

Aren't we going to celebrate an annivesary of Mongolian State, instead of Empire?

BuBa, r u a Japanese? I thought u were a Mongolian. anyways, I think it's just the 800th anniversary of 1st Mongolian state or empire. they both mean the same thing because 800 years ago, Mongolian tribes united forming a Mongolian State and Mongolians were already on their way to conquer foriegn states thus forming the Mongol Empire.

[serv]

As a Japanese PM, Koizumi shouldn't have said something like, "It would be as if we were conquered by Genghis Khan." that will surely fuel some hot blooded japanese fan against the foriegn Yokozunas.

[Coo-cook]

Serv,

Please, cut the crap. It's a sumo forum and not a stupid crap nationalistic or political forum.

What you're writing is not even political.....it's just a stupid bull shit.

If you wanna talk some politics and history then first learn and then talk, but in other forum, please.