Game Over- no more foreign rikishi loopholes

[Jonosuke 28]

One foreigner per stable is no problem under the law as the Japanese constitution only says that all citizens are equal. In effect discrimination against non citizens is perfectly legal. You can see this in certain establishments that put "no foreigners" signs outside their business. It's their right.

I am not sure why you are stating that the Kyokai is discriminating against non citizens. First and foremost, foreign born non citizen needs a work permit to join Ozumo and compete as a rikishi. If he does not, he won't be able to work. Isn't it the same as almost all the countries in the world? Can you go to another country and start working and when you are denied the opportunity, do you scream for discrimination? They are the ones giving a work permit so isn't it within their power not to issue or restrict the number of permits they allow?

The thread has the magic word. It's a loophole some shisho has been taking advantage of it. They are the ones to press non-sekitori to acquire the citizenship so they can increase the number of foreign born rikishi in their heya. Some rikishi can be pressured or coerced to acquire the citizenship while others are not.

In essence it is a matter of fairness across 50 odd heya if they want to keep one foreign rikishi per heya. One paper had a headline saying "No More Asashoryu" rule. It's hard enough to teach one recruit about the traditions and customs of Ozumo let alone several in the same heya.

Since you are also bringing up business, I might add this. Most business owners do not speak good enough English to be able to explain how they want their customers to observe the rules of the house. Often they limit those who may not understand Japanese, not because of themselves but for their other patrons.

One of more popular running courses in central Tokyo is a route around the Imperial House. There is a public bath house located in the route, frequented by many joggers and runners after their run. Right inside the entrance there are places to put shoes but a lot of foreign runners take their shoes inside and put them inside a basket meant to put clothes in. Two things happen. First the smell of shoes bother a lot of other people and second, other guests who use the baskets complain they are always dirty. Even though the owner has a noticeboard asking in four languages to observe the etiquette and leave shoes outside, still some ignore it openly. Despite the complaints of locals, the owner still let everyone in as he wants to welcome all regardless of who they are.

The Kyokai is now enforcing a rule to have prominent yakuza members from entering the Kokugikan and other basho venues. They likely have acquired their Sunakaburi seats legitimately and never break the rules such as eating or drinking in their seat. But still they are asked to leave. For one thing the Kyokai does not want to be seen as if they are connected to them but more importantly they are concerned about their customers as well. What if you spend all that money and sit next to a man who is obviously a top man of organized crime. You likely won't be able to relax and enjoy watching the competitions. However these guys have not broken any laws or caused any trouble inside but still they are denied to stay in the place. I am not bringing all this up as an excuse for some business owners not opt to welcome all comers but to illustrate there are two sides to every story.

[Kintamayama 45,126]

The point is that - at least IMO - it's not for the Kyokai to close that loophole. They're essentially interfering with a legal process by saying "no, we won't recognize this guy as a proper Japanese even though the government does". I'm not aware of any of those European sports leagues instituting similar measures.

No, they just "play around" with the number of foreigners allowed as it suits them at a given time. Then, they "play around" with the number of "new citizens" as it suits them. Then they decide (European basketball) that at any given moment, at least two of the five players on court must be local. And then, and then, and then-in any case, the decisions are made by the sports bodies and not by the governments. IMO, good call. It's not a foreigners yes or no thing, it's a rule thing. If there was a same rule for college recruits (1 per heya) and 4 recruits were suddenly to be found retroactively unqualified as ex-collegiates because they cheated on their tests, thus opening up new slots for other collegiate members, it would certainly be the single worst example anyone gave for anything on earth in any discussion since the advent of man and bananas.

Geeeez..

Edited February 24, 2010 by Kintamayama

[nomadwolf 8]

One foreigner per stable is no problem under the law as the Japanese constitution only says that all citizens are equal. In effect discrimination against non citizens is perfectly legal. You can see this in certain establishments that put "no foreigners" signs outside their business. It's their right.

Once a person becomes a citizen however they may not be treated in an unequal way from other citizens. This designation as gaikoku shusshin does that. I'm not saying anyone is likely to challenge it but it wouldn't last 2 seconds in a court of law. It's not about the persons rights to have a foreign stablemate, it's about their right to 100% equal status.

The half-way around this is to say that a heya may not recruit a gaijin until 5 years (or whatever) after their previous one attains citizenship. Then the new citizen isn't "per se" treated differently from the other citizens, but there's this "cooling off" period. This obviously has differences from this new rule, but it might be constitutional. (not sure, since there would be no cooling off period if gaijin leave the heya/sumo without becoming citizens)

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

The thread has the magic word. It's a loophole some shisho has been taking advantage of it. They are the ones to press non-sekitori to acquire the citizenship so they can increase the number of foreign born rikishi in their heya. Some rikishi can be pressured or coerced to acquire the citizenship while others are not.

That may be going on in some cases. But it's not the only possibility. Some rikishi may wish for a chance to acquire kabu and become oyakata themselves. Some may wish to be able to settle here, raise families, and have the same rights as those in their communities, such as the right to vote. Some may wish to become businessmen, and feel citizenship will aid their endeavors. I'm sure there are many other situations that are equally or more plausible. Unless we have some inside information, it is difficult to make assumptions about the motivations of individual rikishi.

The Kyokai is now enforcing a rule to have prominent yakuza members from entering the Kokugikan and other basho venues. They likely have acquired their Sunakaburi seats legitimately and never break the rules such as eating or drinking in their seat. But still they are asked to leave. For one thing the Kyokai does not want to be seen as if they are connected to them but more importantly they are concerned about their customers as well. What if you spend all that money and sit next to a man who is obviously a top man of organized crime. You likely won't be able to relax and enjoy watching the competitions. However these guys have not broken any laws or caused any trouble inside but still they are denied to stay in the place. I am not bringing all this up as an excuse for some business owners not opt to welcome all comers but to illustrate there are two sides to every story.

I'm not sure comparing a group of Japanese citizens of foreign origin who will be treated as a separate class of citizen with prominent members of organized crime syndicates being treated as unwelcome guests is an apt one (although I am struck by the irony)...

[Kintamayama 45,126]

That may be going on in some cases. But it's not the only possibility. Some rikishi may wish for a chance to acquire kabu and become oyakata themselves. Some may wish to be able to settle here, raise families, and have the same rights as those in their communities, such as the right to vote. Some may wish to become businessmen, and feel citizenship will aid their endeavors. I'm sure there are many other situations that are equally or more plausible. Unless we have some inside information, it is difficult to make assumptions about the motivations of individual rikishi.

I agree partly about the reasons, but it's a case of the "bad intentions" shadowing the honest ones. No one seriously believes the last 6 Makushita/Sandanme regulars who suddenly acquired their citizenships intend to acquire a kabu, as they simply can't. We can pretty safely say that Kyokutenhou and probably Kasugaou do intend to continue with the Kyokai. But, as you say, without any inside information it's hard to tell, but usually, when something smells like a fish, it is a fish.

The more I think of it, it's a win-win situation for all involved- the shisho gets a second pick-in these cases his first pick didn't pan out as he must have expected, to say the least. The rikishi get Japanese citizenship with all it entails- everyone is was happy.

Edited February 24, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

I agree partly about the reasons, but it's a case of the "bad intentions" shadowing the honest ones. No one seriously believes the last 6 Makushita/Sandanme regulars who suddenly acquired their citizenships intend to acquire a kabu, as they simply can't. We can pretty safely say that Kyokutenhou and probably Kasugaou do intend to continue with the Kyokai. But, as you say, without any inside information it's hard to tell, but usually, when something smells like a fish, it is a fish.

The more I think of it, it's a win-win situation for all involved- the shisho gets a second pick-in these cases his first pick didn't pan out as he must have expected, to say the least. The rikishi get Japanese citizenship with all it entails- everyone is was happy.

I think we are on the same page. But, some may wish to stay in the heya after retiring as active rikishi in some sort of coaching or "managerial" position. They are going to lose their visa sponsored by the NSK. Speaking to many long-term residents here, some claim the system is set up so that it can be easier to receive citizenship than permanent residence. Either way, for any foreign born rikishi planning to spend their retirement in Japan in whatever way, citizenship does have its benefits.

Edited February 24, 2010 by Otokonoyama
typo

[Doitsuyama 1,185]

The "proper" (though arguably no less dirty) way of dealing with this situation is to lobby your government to stop handing out semi-frivolous naturalizations to athletes.

I don't think there is anything semi-frivolous about these naturalizations. I also don't think the Japanese government is doing them any favours just because they are athletes - it's not like they are representing Japan in international sports, even their shusshin on the banzuke stays the same foreign.

It's just a matter of observing the rules of naturalization which (I have read) includes five continuous years of living in Japan, respecting the Japanese constitution, a demonstrated level of assimilation and demonstrating the means to supporting your family. Well, the only tricky thing is the last one for lower division rikishi, but since they are bachelors with solid room, board and income, this should be possible. Oh, and their level of Japanese certainly is better than for many other naturalized citizens.

So (because I am confused reading that part from you) tell me again, what about this process is frivolous?

[Andreas 0]

all foreigners in one heya? youre aware that wrestlers of one heya dont face each other except in a kettei-sen? foreigners would monopolize all the upper ranks...

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

The "proper" (though arguably no less dirty) way of dealing with this situation is to lobby your government to stop handing out semi-frivolous naturalizations to athletes.

I don't think there is anything semi-frivolous about these naturalizations. I also don't think the Japanese government is doing them any favours just because they are athletes - it's not like they are representing Japan in international sports, even their shusshin on the banzuke stays the same foreign.

It's just a matter of observing the rules of naturalization which (I have read) includes five continuous years of living in Japan, respecting the Japanese constitution, a demonstrated level of assimilation and demonstrating the means to supporting your family. Well, the only tricky thing is the last one for lower division rikishi, but since they are bachelors with solid room, board and income, this should be possible. Oh, and their level of Japanese certainly is better than for many other naturalized citizens.

So (because I am confused reading that part from you) tell me again, what about this process is frivolous?

I agree with this assessment. Also, for single rikishi they need to reside and pay taxes for 10 continuous years to be considered for permanent residence, while they can naturalize in only five.

http://www.debito.org/permres.html

[Asashosakari 19,329]

In essence it is a matter of fairness across 50 odd heya if they want to keep one foreign rikishi per heya. One paper had a headline saying "No More Asashoryu" rule. It's hard enough to teach one recruit about the traditions and customs of Ozumo let alone several in the same heya.

Yes, if only Takasago-oyakata hadn't been forced to spend all his guidance time on Asasekiryu, who knows how well-behaved Asashoryu could have turned out... Seriously though, I saw those references to you-know-who, too, but the only thing to be said about that is: Either the journalists have gone mad, or the Kyokai has. Measuring all foreign rikishi by the potential to turn out like Asashoryu is just as retarded as treating all stablemasters as potential Futatsuryus.

No, they just "play around" with the number of foreigners allowed as it suits them at a given time. Then, they "play around" with the number of "new citizens" as it suits them. Then they decide (European basketball) that at any given moment, at least two of the five players on court must be local. And then, and then, and then-in any case, the decisions are made by the sports bodies and not by the governments.

But they don't introduce status definitions for players that are at odds with their official legal status and don't treat legally equivalent people as different.

I don't think there is anything semi-frivolous about these naturalizations.

I don't think so either, and I probably should have used scare quotes up there. I was trying to voice what seems to be the Kyokai attitude about these naturalizations.

It's just a matter of observing the rules of naturalization which (I have read) includes five continuous years of living in Japan, respecting the Japanese constitution, a demonstrated level of assimilation and demonstrating the means to supporting your family. Well, the only tricky thing is the last one for lower division rikishi, but since they are bachelors with solid room, board and income, this should be possible. Oh, and their level of Japanese certainly is better than for many other naturalized citizens.

I agree completely. Hence also my "words fail" comment earlier on - considering the five-year requirement, the "foreigner-only stables" comment was just so incredibly dumb as to defy rational response. The Kyokai should arguably be happy that it's producing foreign rikishi who are so well-integrated that they can pass the naturalization process, but with this rule change they're effectively doing the exact opposite. And really, what's the most foreign-origin rikishi that a stable will be able to get through this loophole...three perhaps, and that over a period of 10+ years. The whole thing is remarkably tin-eared, even for the Kyokai's often low standards of rationality.

I think we are on the same page. But, some may wish to stay in the heya after retiring as active rikishi in some sort of coaching or "managerial" position. They are going to lose their visa sponsored by the NSK. Speaking to many long-term residents here, some claim the system is set up so that it can be easier to receive citizenship than permanent residence. Either way, for any foreign born rikishi planning to spend their retirement in Japan in whatever way, citizenship does have its benefits.

Yes, I don't get the assumption that the rikishi were pressured into this, either. The ability to stay in a first-world country beyond your current career seems like a decent incentive (especially if, like many rikishi, you're not exactly going to qualify through sought-after work skills and the like). Tatsunami-beya has been named outright as a major culprit in the press coverage here, with their recent double naturalization of Mokonami and Daionami - I wonder what those people will say in case Daionami goes intai within the year and it turns out he really did do it in order to stay in Japan beyond his going-nowhere-fast sumo career.

I'll also go on record with one thing: I'll be incredibly surprised if Ryutei's foreigner spot in Nishonoseki-beya actually gets filled anytime soon.

The more I think of it, it's a win-win situation for all involved- the shisho gets a second pick-in these cases his first pick didn't pan out as he must have expected, to say the least. The rikishi get Japanese citizenship with all it entails- everyone is was happy.

Playing along with the "it's all due to shisho pressure" line of thinking for a moment - I guess we'll see those "didn't pan out" guys pressured into quitting sumo altogether now instead of merely adopting Japanese citizenship? Yeah, that looks like a smart play. :-/ I actually wouldn't put it past the rijikai to be thinking along that line, in the vain hope that it'll help clear the lower ranks of all those foreigners from the year 2000-2002 recruiting drive. Of course, long-term they're going to shoot themselves in the foot with that, as it'll make the foreigners who do stick around look even more dominant compared to their Japanese anideshi.

Edited February 24, 2010 by Asashosakari

[ryafuji 814]

all foreigners in one heya? youre aware that wrestlers of one heya dont face each other except in a kettei-sen? foreigners would monopolize all the upper ranks...

Yes, but at least the fans would have at least one Japanese rikishi to cheer for in every match...

[ilovesumo 12]

This whole thing is eminently confusing to me; I was quite convinced they were okay with the (now ex-)loophole as it allowed them to not bother addressing the "one per stable" limit and still keep a reasonable influx of foreign talent.

If all Shisho had a say, I am pretty sure they would call the whole thing off...- yeah, they used the loophole- cause they need(ed) deshi.

Guys like Nakamura do not need to use it- his boys are protected and their Shisho really provides them with a future after Sumo - he has no super big heya but at least a stable one.

[ilovesumo 12]

It's just a matter of observing the rules of naturalization which (I have read) includes five continuous years of living in Japan, respecting the Japanese constitution, a demonstrated level of assimilation and demonstrating the means to supporting your family. Well, the only tricky thing is the last one for lower division rikishi, but since they are bachelors with solid room, board and income, this should be possible. Oh, and their level of Japanese certainly is better than for many other naturalized citizens.

So (because I am confused reading that part from you) tell me again, what about this process is frivolous?

You must read the "turned down" cases presented as example...

Dr. XY who studied Japan for years, lived in Japan for 13 years ....but "had not done enough for the honour of Japan" (kinda expressed like that...) - and here it comes, what has a sandanme rikishi done for the nation? I really wonder how that all worked...

[ilovesumo 12]

I'm not ilovesumo. I don't complain about institutionalised racism constantly even though it does exist. It doesn't interfere with my life much and Japan is far from the only place one can find it. I choose to live here and I've found that ignoring such things is by far the best option.

You had a loooong time to learn that (am still on my way to find out how to deal with that). Im kinda far behind and a hurt kid. And, I think it's a difference for males and females. Have you ever been asked "how much?" just cause you are a gaijin? (for those who do not understand - many people think that a (blond), young, foreign female in Japan can be bought...) :-| - hurts far more then a "no gaijin" sign.

Racism has often the same paroles - "they take away our workplace", "we will become the minority", "they take away our girls" ... (you can read em on German walls as well and I hate that (Blowing up furiously...) )

I understood the 1-gaijin rule. Even the foreign Rikishi understood it. Sumo is smaller then a nation and cannot swallow all of em, while less and less Japanese join. (And it is still a waste of talent while there is a need for it.) But now it goes tooo far, violating the meaning of "citizen".

Becoming a citizen shows that a foreigner does care about Japan, as someone already wrote. Asa probably never wanted it- for his own reasons. So the "no more Asashoryus" (could I have the link please) is pretty racist, cause it 1. says Asa is bad and 2. kinda lumps em all together. All are soooo baaaaad... (Sign of disapproval...) yeah, sure...

Edited February 24, 2010 by ilovesumo

[Fay 1,677]

Have you ever been asked "how much?" just cause you are a gaijin? (for those who do not understand - many people think that a (blond), young, foreign female in Japan can be bought...) (Blowing up furiously...) - hurts far more then a "no gaijin" sign.

My God, where is the problem, happened to a lot of girls in nearly every country of this world. Just ignore them or break their noses, that's what foreigners usually do.

[ilovesumo 12]

(Blowing up furiously...) Read "Being A Broad in Japan" (guide book for foreign females) - the police is quoted: "If you hurt the man, then you violate the law" - so he can grap your wahtsoever...

[Asashosakari 19,329]

In fact all the yakuza talk is a red herring as well because banning them IS illegal if they haven't been convicted of a crime. In fact it's probably illegal regardless. It's just that it's not worth the hassle for them to sue and bring so much attention on themselves.

FWIW, the stated rationale - as much as I've been able to parse it - is that yakuza-connected people aren't allowed to make the type of financial contribution to the Kyokai that will result in being awarded sunakaburi seats (but who knows if they're even capable of policing that), and other people technically aren't allowed to pass on their sunakaburi allotment at all without Kyokai approval, although it obviously happens all the time, yakuza or otherwise. It's still questionable in that it's selective enforcement against gang members only, but I think the Kyokai does have a leg to stand on there. And my impression is that, despite public statements to the contrary, it's really only going to be enforced for the front row/on camera seats, and yakuza members still won't have much trouble viewing sumo from elsewhere in the arena.

[ilovesumo 12]

IMHO -nothing but polishing the image...

[Kintamayama 45,126]

So the "no more Asashoryus" (could I have the link please) is pretty racist,

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20100224-00000035-spn-spo -in the headline itself in katakana English

[Kintamayama 45,126]

But they don't introduce status definitions for players that are at odds with their official legal status and don't treat legally equivalent people as different.

I truly did not understand this sentence. If in some countries in Europe, after too many players became "naturalized", they decided to count the naturalized guys as foreigners, would that be the same?

[Kotoviki 16]

Since you are also bringing up business, I might add this. Most business owners do not speak good enough English to be able to explain how they want their customers to observe the rules of the house. Often they limit those who may not understand Japanese, not because of themselves but for their other patrons.

Well as a Japanese speaking foreigner who has been refused entry to various establishments over the years I can only shake my head at that naiive and misguided attempt to justify discrimination.

I'm not ilovesumo. I don't complain about institutionalised racism constantly even though it does exist. It doesn't interfere with my life much and Japan is far from the only place one can find it. I choose to live here and I've found that ignoring such things is by far the best option.

Your knee-jerk reaction is disappointing.

My point was that it ain't against the constitution as it is in other countries. If the kyokai want to ban all foreigners that's their right. What is NOT within their right though is to make ANY distinction between Japanese citizens no matter how they came by that citizenship. In fact not only is not not within their right, it's illegal and would leave them wide open to being sued if they put it into practice. The chances of them being sued are low though.

I must put an input with John here and say that while there is some racism it doesn't interfere with my life here as well. In fact 22 years here I don't even notice it anymore. I too choose to live here and if I felt the discrimination and racism was a problem then I'd be free to leave.

Since I can't find a way to quote two people in one message I reply to ilovesumo's post about being asked "how much.." because she is gaijin. I don't know why this has been such a problem for her because even when I was her age (I came to Japan when I was just turning 22, young and blonde..) and I had first come to Japan I never encountered this. Even when my friends and I used to go to Tokyo dressed like we may have been working girls for an occasional night out in Roppongi nobody ever approached me or any of my friends and asked us "how much" or implied anything more than we were foreigners living in Japan. In fact the only time something even near to this happened was when I was with two male friends in Sapporo drunk at 2am in the bar district and a Japanese man was getting out of a car with two women and offered to trade the two girls for me... my friends were angry that I wouldn't go for it.. but that was just a kind of play thing once in 22 years.

Anyway any foreigner can be discriminated against but it is how they take it and how they react. Trying to live harmoniously in the country you choose seems to work well. Woman or Man if you ignore them or show them nothing bothers you then you'll get along well... I'm sure John does this well!!

I remember clearly the only time I was discriminated against was at a rental agency who called the owners of a house I wanted to see and said on the phone in Japanese that a "gaijin-san" wanted to look at their house.. some talking back and forth and the house apparently wasn't available anymore. Well, they should have let me look before telling the owners I was gaijin because I'm sure the house was still available. There are owners and rental companies that won't rent to foreigners and it isn't illegal just as if the kyokai wants to ban all foreigners they may do so.

As for me I went to another agency found a better place to live... case closed. No need to dwell on those things.

However, John is correct that they can't make any distinction between Japanese citizens no matter if they are naturalized or born Japanese. I would hope they wouldn't do so but again as John says, their chances of actually getting sued are not high so maybe they don't care. Japanese as a rule do know what laws they can bend and twist and get away with.

Why exactly wouldn't the kyokai be much happier if the foreigners took up Japanese citizenship and fought "as Japanese", who knows?

Getting citizenship is not easy. Getting permanent residence is not easy. It was a pain in the arse all the paperwork and time and finding someone to be my personal guarantor who also needed to spend time and money to get the same paperwork together and go with me to the immigrations office. An essay and the wait (though if you are married to a Japanese this process is much easier) but heck yeah it was worth it. And now realistically I can do anything that any Japanese can do including being homeless or opening a yakitori stand, that is what they told me. The only thing I can't do is vote, but I don't want to do that anyway. Which is why I won't bother with trying for citizenship, too much hassle! But if I were a foreign rikishi considering staying in sumo forever, being an oyakata even, and freeing up a place in my heya for a new young foreigner to come in then it would be worth the hassle to get citizenship. The kyokai is foolish then to say that a new foreigner can't enter the heya. I'm a foreigner and I'd like to see a Japanese Yokozuna and more interest in sumo by Japanese but I also see that foreigners in sumo are still bringing money into the sport. In a time when the economy is so bad the kyokai should think of more ways to get people interested in sumo!

Ok well let's see how this comes out. I'm exhausted it is almost 4am. I made final exams all night. I hope this reads ok!! (Blowing up furiously...)

[Asashosakari 19,329]

Since I can't find a way to quote two people in one message ...

Just click the button on each post you want to quote, then click the button at the top or bottom of the thread (instead of the regular reply button) to create a post with multiple quotes.

[Sashohitowa 6]

Didn't somebody on this forum say before that actually the 1-gaijin-per-heya is nothing directly written in kyokai's rules, but more an agreement?

If this is so, then there is no "legal" problem...

[Jonosuke 28]

Your knee-jerk reaction is disappointing.

My point was that it ain't against the constitution as it is in other countries. If the kyokai want to ban all foreigners that's their right. What is NOT within their right though is to make ANY distinction between Japanese citizens no matter how they came by that citizenship. In fact not only is not not within their right, it's illegal and would leave them wide open to being sued if they put it into practice. The chances of them being sued are low though.

Don't think my knee was jerking actually.

"My point" is that racism doesn't happen in Japan, it happens, and just about any country you go to. And you know if it's not happening to you, it's happening to someone else even in the country you are born. It's pretty much in the plate anywhere. It's just that you and others in this forum feel more for obvious reason but you probably won't deny it's true in the place you are born and raised. One can try to address it and help the cause but in the end, if it becomes intolerable, one needs to make a serious choice. It's your life, you make your own choice as to where you want to live or how you want to liver your life.

"My actual point" is that it's not happening there because of the constitution. Most Japanese hardly care about the constitution except one charter dealing with the self defense force going abroad in peace keeping mission or any other while armed.

Personally I expected the reaction I got from those living in Japan. I pointed out the reasons some business owners refuse certain people from their premise and it's not because of they think they can get away with because of the constitution. One of Ozumo's major heya, Kasugano Beya generally does not welcome foreign visitors unaccompanied by a Japanese speaking guide to their asa geiko. You certainly don't believe they do it because they think they can do it because of the constitution. Did they set up the rule because they are a bunch of racists? Hardly. They even have a non-Japanese rikishi in their heya.

There are people with nationalistic and racist views in the Kyokai but that didn't stop them from accepting foreign born rikishi in their organization. If they are truly racist, why would they still allow foreign born rikishi even now? According to the constitution, you say they can. How could a racist orgainization allow their top rank to be occupied by a foreign born rikishi? Whenever Asashoryu was accused of something or rather, some always brings up racism as the reason conveniently forgetting there are four dozen more foreign born rikishi hardly causing any problems in Ozumo.

The original intent of one gaikokujin per heya had hardly to do with citizenship. It is to ensure so that every rikishi who comes into Ozumo should learn about the traditions and customs of sumo. The Kyokai's mandate is to diffuse and disseminate the customs and traditions of sumo. It is the responsibility of every Kyokai member to follow the mandate. It means every shisho should teach and coach his recruits the Ozumo culture. There is a limit on how extensively he can do so if there are too many rikishi in his heya who may have a language difficulty or without any knowledge of sumo and Japanese culture.

They know the problem is not about one's nationality. They realized that just because someone picks up the citizenship, that does not translate automatically the person has learned the sumo culture. Makushita rikishi with Japanese citizenship can stay with the Kyokai in a Sewanin or Wamanogashira capacity so it's great that they do acquire it even though they may never became an oyakata. But I certainly don't think they feel they are personally discriminated against by this revise Kyokai rule.

So the question remains who really the Kyokai is discriminating against. The rikishi who acquired the citizenship and has at least a hope of remaining with the Kyokai or those who may not be able to enter Ozumo? Well the door has become narrower for sure but that door has been always narrow but have they been really discriminated against? I happen to know more than a few foreign born rikshi were staying in one heya or another until they find an opening in the past and some may still do so if they really want to join. But if they are really discriminated against by Ozumo, why the Kyokai even allow them to stay with the heya? At least in personal sense I don't see any sign of racism to those who acquired the citizenship or those who are about to join Ozumo as they have not really shut the door to anyone.

[Kintamayama 45,126]

[*]The newest proposal is illegal

Can you elaborate? It may seem straightforward to you, but I don't understand this part.