Kintamayama 45,513 Posted February 5, 2011 Summing up today's news and speculations: 1. It's going to be a long investigation, with all those implicated (but not admitting) fighting for their sumo lives while the investigators will try to prove their illegal deeds. 2. Haru basho is probably going to be canceled, and there is a real possibility of Natsu being canceled as well as the investigation may go on for quite a while. 3. The three admitting suspects, Chiyohakuhou, ex-Kasuganishiki and Enatsukasa, will probably receive the unprecedented jomei (excommunication) punishment, while Kiyoseumi and others who everyone knows did participate but so far have refused to admit it, may receive the lighter punishment of "intai advice" and not the second worst "kaiko (dismissal)", although the end is the same- out of sumo. 4. All sekitori are slated to be investigated and possibly have their mobile phones checked for incriminating evidence. Some suspects have already found interesting excuses for not presenting their phones, "my wife stepped on it and broke it" being one of the better ones. 5. Rikishi punishments will not be announced in tomorrow's rijikai meeting. Investigations will continue and the next report will be presented after the 10th. 6. If the need arises and various suspect rikishi will continue to deny their participation in yaocho, the committee will watch the allegedly "tainted" bouts mentioned in the mobile mails together with the rikishi in question and attempt to spot the yaocho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,648 Posted February 5, 2011 6. If the need arises and various suspect rikishi will continue to deny their participation in yaocho, the committee will watch the allegedly "tainted" bouts mentioned in the mobile mails together with the rikishi in question and attempt to spot the yaocho. They ought to sell tickets for that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,513 Posted February 5, 2011 If Haru basho will be canceled, money-wise, the direct hit from lost revenues from the NHK broadcasts and entrance fees for the tournament is estimated to be 1,300,000,000 yen (13 oku yen, or approximately 16 million USD). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonosuke 28 Posted February 6, 2011 If we assume (though not likely the final fallout from all this), the current yaocho bouts were confined to three confessers plus Kiyoseumi, there will be collateral damage to their shisho as well and that could be significant as we are talking about Dewanoumi, Kasugano, Kokonoe and Kitanoumi. They certainly will suffer demotions from their current rank, meaning the Kyokai will need to replace them in their board, not sure how they will do it but they will not afford to keep them in the directors rank. They could fill the holes with outsider directors but either way Hanaregoma will have more tough time steering the ship as I am sure Takanohana will start rearing his head and finally will take what he considers to be the rightful place with the Kyokai, which may have been his destiny all along. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,648 Posted February 6, 2011 (edited) If we assume (though not likely the final fallout from all this), the current yaocho bouts were confined to three confessers plus Kiyoseumi, there will be collateral damage to their shisho as well and that could be significant as we are talking about Dewanoumi, Kasugano, Kokonoe and Kitanoumi. Kitanoumi has already been cleared by the investigation committee as all this happened before Kise-beya was merged into his stable. Edit: Wait a sec...Dewanoumi? Edited February 6, 2011 by Asashosakari Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peterao 3 Posted February 6, 2011 Suponichi anketo results: out of 129 people surveyed, 107 (83%) say that Haru Basho should not be held, while 103 (80%) say that their special tax status should be revoked. People (or at least, people who reply to surveys) are apparently really pissed off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chankosan 0 Posted February 6, 2011 If you are curious about the origins of the term "yaocho": Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,513 Posted February 6, 2011 More fallout-the Fukushima jungyo slated for the summer is now canceled. "the contract wasn't finalized yet, but we feel it is not the time and have said so to the Kyokai," said someone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kotoviki 16 Posted February 6, 2011 Suponichi anketo results: out of 129 people surveyed, 107 (83%) say that Haru Basho should not be held, while 103 (80%) say that their special tax status should be revoked. People (or at least, people who reply to surveys) are apparently really pissed off. Well they are the same people who didn't want Nagoya to happen and/or no TV coverage.. they are the same ones over and over who like to fill in ankets and have nothing else to do... And no Peterao, I'm not attacking YOU I'm just saying.....they are the same ones over and over.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fukurou 534 Posted February 6, 2011 (edited) If we assume (though not likely the final fallout from all this), the current yaocho bouts were confined to three confessers plus Kiyoseumi, there will be collateral damage to their shisho as well and that could be significant as we are talking about Dewanoumi, Kasugano, Kokonoe and Kitanoumi. Kitanoumi has already been cleared by the investigation committee as all this happened before Kise-beya was merged into his stable. Edit: Wait a sec...Dewanoumi? I don't know what else may have come up, but back in message #47 I noted that 6 of the then-13 belonged to Dewanoumi ichimon. Kitanoumi-riji, (cleared, as noted above), Kokonoe-riji, and Michinoku-riji also had suspects in their individual heyas at the time that message was posted. Edit: Some of us have to look these things up (me included). Here are the 13 at that time and their heya, sorted by ichimon. Six are from the Dewanoumi ichimon, 2 are from Onoe-beya (the other 11 from 11 different heya): DEWANOUMI Enatsukasa - Irumagawa Kasuganishiki - Kasugano Kiyoseumi - Kitanoumi Shirononami - Onoe Shoutenro - Fujishima Yamamotoyama - Onoe NISHONOSEKI Kouryuu - Hanakago Wakatenro - Magaki TAKASAGO Chiyohakuhou - Kokonoe Kaiho - Hakkaku TATSUNAMI Kyokunankai - Oshima TOKITSUKAZE Shimotori - Tokitsukaze Toyozakura - Michinoku Edited February 6, 2011 by Fukurou Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Babaryutaikai 1 Posted February 6, 2011 Well, I guess March is definitely a no-go: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110205x1.html Bummer! <h1 id="headline">JSA to scrap spring sumo tourney</h1> <h2 id="deck">Bout-fixing crisis leads to first ever cancellation of a 'basho' by scandal KYODO</h2> No, it is not official yet. It's all speculation and hearsay at this time. We'll know soon enough, about eight hours from now.. Well, am I posting hearsay now, too, to say that it, indeed, HAS been canceled? Speculation and hearsay may have been wishful thinking - on my own part, as well. (Lifting weights...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kenzo 5 Posted February 6, 2011 What is the absolute worse case scenario that could happen to the NSK and Ozumo in general? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilovesumo 12 Posted February 6, 2011 Folding the Kyokai down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shumitto 418 Posted February 6, 2011 Folding the Kyokai down. However gloomy, this idea sounds realistic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,513 Posted February 6, 2011 Folding the Kyokai down. However gloomy, this idea sounds realistic. Disagree-will never happen. Everything will be done so as not to lose face. Sumo will survive-it's gone through worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,513 Posted February 6, 2011 The special committee has declared that they do not believe Kiyoseumi and that he has no choice but to admit his role in the scandal, although he has denied everything so far. This, based on the evidence (phone messages, etc..) they have gathered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilovesumo 12 Posted February 6, 2011 Folding the Kyokai down. However gloomy, this idea sounds realistic. Disagree-will never happen. Everything will be done so as not to lose face. Sumo will survive-it's gone through worse. Amen. Hopefully! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,513 Posted February 6, 2011 KaioU held a press conference today at the KKan in the name of all the rikishi. "We have caused a lot of bother to the fans and connected people. It is really inexcusable that we have caused them to worry..," he said. From tomorrow, the new special committee will begin investigating all sekitori. "I will cooperate with them as much as I can. On the suspension of the basho- "I will train hard, while asking myself what the best thing to do is to restore the fans' faith in us (cough, cough)." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fukurou 534 Posted February 6, 2011 KaioU held a press conference today at the KKan in the name of all the rikishi. "We have caused a lot of bother to the fans and connected people. It is really inexcusable that we have caused them to worry..," he said. From tomorrow, the new special committee will begin investigating all sekitori. "I will cooperate with them as much as I can. On the suspension of the basho- "I will train hard, while asking myself what the best thing to do is to restore the fans' faith in us (cough, cough)." Does Kaio have a special position in the organization that would lead to him making this pronouncement 'in the name of all the rikishi'? Where's Hakuho? I thought that sort of thing was part of the yokozuna's job description. Now IMO, making an announcement on behalf of himself is probably a good thing to do, considering he's had more than a few people wondering about all the timely wins he's pulled out to save himself over the last few years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,513 Posted February 6, 2011 (edited) Hanaregoma press conference today after the decision to cancel Haru basho: Q: How does it feel being the rijicho when a basho has been canceled for the first time ever because of a scandal? A: I feel full responsibility. I can't find the words to apologize and I really think this whole affair is inexcusable. Q: The Haru Jungyo in April? A: It will most probably be canceled as well. Q: So is the cancellation until the Haru jungyo for now? A: I don't think so. It will last till we clarify this problem. Q: So no Honbashos till the investigation ends? A: I personally think so. Q: Does this decision mean that the Kyokai acknowledges the existence of yaocho? A: Yes, it does. Q: When do you think you can regain your trust? A: When we have results of our investigation that will ultimately reveal the truth, and will then result in punishing those that were to blame. Until we reach that stage, it will not be over. Q: Are there any rikishi who are under suspicion other than the 14 mentioned already? A: At this point, there are none. Q: As there is no basho, to what end should the rikishi be doing keiko every day? A: It's a difficult question, but it's not like there will never be another honbasho again.. There will be an investigation, and naturally, there will be retribution. That day will come. I don't know when, but it will arrive. I hope it comes as soon as possible. I think they should do serious, strong and heartfelt keiko. Q: Was there a plan to hold a private "skill assessment" basho? ("Skill assessment" is what the Kyokai has in its contract as a "public body" that gets them all the subsidies from the government ) A: Don't be mistaken-a honbasho is a place for "skill assessment". That "skill assessment" is open to the public that pays to see it. It's not a question of public or private, until we solve this problem, there can be no "skill assessment", as I see it. Q: Will you be compensating the various bodies that depend on you for their income? A: The jungyo director will surely bring this problem up, but we will be explaining the circumstances to everyone and will deal with them accordingly. Q: Will the rijikai be handing out the punishment for the three who admitted to bout-fixing? A: We are not thinking of an immediate punishment. We have to listen to many things during these investigations. Until we have the whole picture, we are postponing the punishment. Q: Other than you, how are the other riji going to take responsibility? A: At this stage we are not thinking about this. What we have to do now is to decide how to deal with this issue. We all feel deeply responsible but for now we are channeling all our efforts towards solving this problem. Q: What about the new recruits check ups? A: They will be held as usual. Q: What banzuke will be used when the next basho will be held? A: I can't say at this juncture but probably we will somehow have to think of making a new one. Q: How will you be preventing this from happening again? A: We have already formed a special committee for this, but we will probably discuss if we need to look into this again. Q: Can you at least tell us when the next basho will be held? A: Until we finish the investigation and punish the culprits, it will be difficult to hold a basho. If we don't do that, I feel we will not regain the public's trust. Edited February 6, 2011 by Kintamayama Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,513 Posted February 6, 2011 Does Kaio have a special position in the organization that would lead to him making this pronouncement 'in the name of all the rikishi'? Where's Hakuho? I thought that sort of thing was part of the yokozuna's job description. He is the only active rikishi in the Hyougiin - kai-a hyougiin-kai delegate must be of Japanese citizenship, if I'm not mistaken. He came out of their meeting directly to the press conference-he was speaking as a member of that committee, to which he belongs as the representative of the rikishi. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sashimaru 10 Posted February 6, 2011 Hanaregoma press conference today after the decision to cancel Haru basho:... Many thanx for the information and especially for the translation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fukurou 534 Posted February 6, 2011 Does Kaio have a special position in the organization that would lead to him making this pronouncement 'in the name of all the rikishi'? Where's Hakuho? I thought that sort of thing was part of the yokozuna's job description. He is the only active rikishi in the Hyougiin - kai-a hyougiin-kai delegate must be of Japanese citizenship, if I'm not mistaken. He came out of their meeting directly to the press conference-he was speaking as a member of that committee, to which he belongs as the representative of the rikishi. Thank you for the explanation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kotobaru 0 Posted February 6, 2011 Folding the Kyokai down. However gloomy, this idea sounds realistic. Disagree-will never happen. Everything will be done so as not to lose face. Sumo will survive-it's gone through worse. Could you be more specific, what was that worse? In general I agree that the Sumo will not disappear, but I feel like it will be never the same again. I hadn't this feeling with Asashoryu scandals on football and rambling, neither with gambling. So this time it is different. The Basho wasn't cancelled before ... BTW, thanks to all who provided to this thread, specially to translators! (Lifting weights...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peterao 3 Posted February 6, 2011 Folding the Kyokai down. However gloomy, this idea sounds realistic. Disagree-will never happen. Everything will be done so as not to lose face. Sumo will survive-it's gone through worse. Could you be more specific, what was that worse? I too would like to hear of this worse thing that sumo has gone through. The rijicho couldn't think of one when he was making his speech... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
