Scandal fallout

[James H 0]

...the biggest question is if there really is a big enough (to make yaocho worth the risk) illegal betting on Sumo going on in Japan. You didn't exactly help to bring light to that - just assuming it as a premise. Maybe you can elaborate on that as I think it shouldn't stay just an undiscussed premise?

I honestly don't know and I'm sorry to build an argument on unproven assumptions.

But in my experience of living in Japan, if the conditions exist for something corrupt to occur, then it occurs. And that is because social/community norms have a much greater influence on behaviour than personal concepts of morality.

[Asashosakari 19,319]

It looks like we may have multiple reform committees in action soon. In addition to the external one to be set up by the baseball investigation committee, the oyakata assembly may demand one of their own from the rijikai. Distressed by the recent developments and desiring to work out their own corrective proposals, a number of "regular" members are reportedly ready to introduce such a motion at the next meeting of all the non-executive oyakatas on the 10th, and if accepted the directors will have little choice but to follow along. Three or four members of each of the 5 ichimons would likely become part of such a committee, making it one of the biggest I can recall if this plan goes through.

Edited July 7, 2010 by Asashosakari

[ilovesumo 12]

Again, such a committee leaves people out. It's only a small number of people, so everybody could be heard.

Edited July 7, 2010 by ilovesumo

[Asashosakari 19,319]

Again, such a committee leaves people out. It's only a small number of people, so everybody could be heard.

I don't think the idea is to shut anybody out, just to keep the numbers manageable. You can't have 90+ people meet all the time, especially since things are probably a bit more time-critical here than for the usual committees who meet perhaps once per month.

Anyway, I couldn't really tell from the article whether this is supposed to be a comprehensive working group, or primarily a "youth first" group in opposition to the old guard up at the riji level. That's going to make a big difference.

[Peterao 3]

Great one.....what about Jonokuchi-boy?

Won't he get his certificate? (Clapping wildly...)

if so->...reactionary BS IMHO

The Kyokai will not accept awards from external organizations, but Jonokuchi-boy will still receive his certificate (as will Makunouchi-boy)

[Peterao 3]

Yesterday was the first day that refunds for Nagoya Basho were offered. 72 claims were received, a number that an office worker said was "below expectations"

[Peterao 3]

Bad timing?

[Peterao 3]

Nobody is giving the Kyokai a free pass these days. Building inspectors cited them for code violations for two temporary structures being built within the gymnasium, for such purposes as the sale of box lunches. Officials informed the city that they would tear these structures down.

How much you wanna bet that they would have gotten off easier last year? Wait...forget about that.

[Kotoviki 16]

Yesterday was the first day that refunds for Nagoya Basho were offered. 72 claims were received, a number that an office worker said was "below expectations"

the people who are returning their tickets are probably the ones who bought them to sell on yahoo auctions and were not seeing a big profit so they can now get rid of them with no loss in the money. I only say this because it was the same in May, before the scandal broke. I often buy tickets on auction when I can not get what I want so I watch those auctions all the time. People barely got what they paid in May or sold them at a loss when in the past they sold them for big profits! I noticed auctions for tickets for Nagoya were also down so those who realized the same may have gone to return their tickets blaming it on the scandal!!!

Oh and the few people who buy tickets and can't go and in a normal basho would lose their money.. how lucky they are!

Edited July 8, 2010 by Kotoviki

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Bad timing?

恋より、どすこい。 (In a state of confusion...)

[Peterao 3]

Bad timing?

????????? (In a state of confusion...)

It's reported that Takanohana is still scheduled to make his acting debut on this show on the third episode, to air July 27th.

[Asashosakari 19,319]

[random thought, conspiracy mode on]

I applaud the Kyokai's decision to leak all these recent scandals to the press. They needed to get rid of all the skeletons in their closets before their foundation status is up for review in 2013, and they made the tough-but-necessary choice to engineer some reasons for a thorough house-cleaning. It never would have worked without making the entire public aware of what those skeletons are and what has to be done about them. Too bad about those few who are caught in the crossfire, but this being Japan, I'm sure they'll be taken care of.

[/random thought, conspiracy mode off]

[Jonosuke 28]

the people who are returning their tickets are probably the ones who bought them to sell on yahoo auctions and were not seeing a big profit so they can now get rid of them with no loss in the money. I only say this because it was the same in May, before the scandal broke. I often buy tickets on auction when I can not get what I want so I watch those auctions all the time. People barely got what they paid in May or sold them at a loss when in the past they sold them for big profits! I noticed auctions for tickets for Nagoya were also down so those who realized the same may have gone to return their tickets blaming it on the scandal!!!

Regardless of whatever reason, it's good that the Kyokai is refunding their money. Nagoya has quite a few Kotomitsuki fans and as he is not there any more, they are simply not interested to go see the basho. And there is nothing wrong with that. As for ticket re-selling, you can go to Daikoku-ya and and you can pretty well buy almost any event ticket you want at a price. It's nothing unique to Ozumo.

Anyways for these public tickets, only the Kyokai gets hurt if returned to them but there is another part you are totally disregarding. Those are the tickets returned to a Chaya. One chaya is reporting 50% of their tickets have been returned or cancelled. Chayas control choice masu seats for mainly business and corporate customers and they normally sell them packaged with souvenir set so the Masu section seats will go for well over 100,000 yen and it could drive some to bankruptcy as they usually have blocks of reserve seats. Often they can release them to the Kyokai box office for the same day ticket sale but they can only recover the money if they are sold. With far less people expected at Nagoya this year, they will likely have to eat the costs.

So chances are the best seats are at the box office sold on the basho day this time around and I suspect a good number of quality seats will go unsold.

[Harry 67]

Sounds like great conditions for masu bingo! Good luck Kotoviki!

[Kintamayama 45,111]

With far less people expected at Nagoya this year, they will likely have to eat the costs.

With no TV broadcast, you may be surprised.

[Jonosuke 28]

With far less people expected at Nagoya this year, they will likely have to eat the costs.

With no TV broadcast, you may be surprised.

We shall see...but I wasn't surprised NHK canceled the coverage..

[Peterao 3]

Yesterday was the first day that refunds for Nagoya Basho were offered. 72 claims were received, a number that an office worker said was "below expectations"

Refund claims after two days have risen to 153, slightly increasing over the previous day.

[Kotoviki 16]

Sounds like great conditions for masu bingo! Good luck Kotoviki!

yes indeed!!! I am ready for more prime choices of masu bingo seats!!!!!! (Sign of approval...)

[Kotoviki 16]

With far less people expected at Nagoya this year, they will likely have to eat the costs.

With no TV broadcast, you may be surprised.

I tend to agree here! Maybe......

[Kotoviki 16]

Regardless of whatever reason, it's good that the Kyokai is refunding their money. Nagoya has quite a few Kotomitsuki fans and as he is not there any more, they are simply not interested to go see the basho. And there is nothing wrong with that. As for ticket re-selling, you can go to Daikoku-ya and and you can pretty well buy almost any event ticket you want at a price. It's nothing unique to Ozumo.

I feel good for Kotomitsuki fans..... and fans of other top rankers or favorites they wanted to see and can't who can get their money back...

It reminds me of a nice couple who came to see Goeido in Osaka..... friends of the family... only bought tickets for seeing Goeido...he was kyujo and they were disgusted to have spent so much money on a prime box.... no refunds without a scandal you know....

[Kintamayama 45,111]

19 kenshos. Last year's shonichi- 86 kenshos. 78% reduction.

[Kintamayama 45,111]

Yesterday saw the biggest number of tickets sold in one day this year- 950,000 yen intake in one day, 250,000 more than last year's day- before -shonichi. The fact that 1000 people came to see the dohyo -matsuri and then stopped by the window to purchase a ticket may be one of the reasons. "It was a crazy sale today. My eyes are filled with tears. Maybe we should have the dohyo-matsuri every day..," said a tearful Nishonoseki Oyakata.

Still only 65% of tickets for the 15 days have been sold so far, 10% less than last year's shonichi.

[Kintamayama 45,111]

The shikiri are Looooooong.

[Doitsuyama 1,185]

In addition to McDonalds y'all should complement the healthy lifestyle by drinking lots of Ozeki sake...

[Doitsuyama 1,185]

Eleven kensho for Hakuho-Tochinoshin, led by five BigMacs.