Kaisei applies for Japanese citizenship

[Akinomaki 40,514]

Kaisei is to apply for Japanese citizenship after the Kyushu basho. The necessary documents mostly have been prepared. He would be the 7th (that few?) foreign makuuchi rikishi to become Japanese, the last being Mokonami Sept. 2011. Kaisei plans to become an oyakata later, Tomozuna-oyakata is very much in favour. There have been talk that the requirement for an oyakata to be Japanese could be changed, in connection to the kyokai converting to a new public service entity form, but the prospect it that it stays the same.

Kaisei, Ricardo Sugano is Brasilian in 3rd generation of Japanese origin. His father's parents were Japanese, his mother is half Italian and German. He will change only the name into Kanji, 菅野.

He has not yet fulfilled the criteria for becoming an oyakata, but he can challenge again for sanyaku in Kyushu.

asageiko

[Kintamayama 45,137]

Brazilian Kaisei will be applying for Japanese citizenship on the 11th, it was learned today.

[Borislav 4]

If he obtains it, can his heya take another foreigner or not?

[Fay 1,677]

If he obtains it, can his heya take another foreigner or not?

No, his heya already has two other foreigners, Kyokutenho and Kyokushuho.

[Asojima 2,874]

No, his heya already has two other foreigners, Kyokutenho and Kyokushuho.

FWIW, Kyokutenho already has Japanese citizenship.

[Fay 1,677]

No, his heya already has two other foreigners, Kyokutenho and Kyokushuho.

FWIW, Kyokutenho already has Japanese citizenship.

oh yes, you're right

[Asashosakari 19,331]

Doesn't matter anyway, given the recently-introduced rule that naturalization doesn't stop a rikishi from holding a foreigner slot in the Kyokai's eyes.

[Igordemorais 75]

Naturalized are sti, ll counted as foreigners. Go Kaisei, it is far more practical for visa purposes to be a Japanese citizen than to be Brazilian.

[Kintamayama 45,137]

He plans to be an Oyakata, apparently..

[Mark.Buckton 68]

and he will feature in an airline magazine interview in the new year.

[krindel 671]

He plans to be an Oyakata, apparently..

Well, he is young, but then again his ichimon is conspicuously lacking in eligible candidates for taking over the kabu that will be vacating soon. After all, they can just barely fill in the attendant positions for the two yokozuna they have! So it probably makes sense for him to get the citizenship, so that he can "stake his claim" to one of the oyakata names early.

Then again, the angle Igordemorais mentions should never be underestimated. Some passports are just easier to get around the globe with than others.

[Mark.Buckton 68]

Brazilians are very low down the pecking order in Japan - largely limited to factory or restaurant jobs. Stereotypes abound - unfairly of course - but such is life.

[krindel 671]

Brazilians are very low down the pecking order in Japan - largely limited to factory or restaurant jobs. Stereotypes abound - unfairly of course - but such is life.

Sadly, its not just Japan. Trying to get a European Union visa or work permit as a Japanese is much easier than as a South American, and I have a suspicion that in the States the situation would be similar.

Generally speaking, it is not at all uncommon for athletes that participate in team sports in European teams to be actively trying to get hold of a second passport, and I would expect that foreign rikishi would think pretty much the same. Then again, I would assume that getting a Japanese passport is not a very easy process for a rikishi, otherwise I would think that more of the Mongolians would have gone down that road, oyakata aspirations or not.

[botev1921 33]

In my local football team we have 2 Brazilians and both of them have Italian passports. South American countries are really suffering when it comes to visa and work regulations.

[Koorifuu 1,001]

Adding my little 2 cents, I have to agree. As a Portuguese, I watch dozens and dozens of Brazilian players coming here to play soccer professionally. This is their favorite destination as the language barrier is restricted to the different accents. And let's face it, nearly all of those who have an European Union grand-grand-mother/father or the sort will definitely apply for that citizenship. Be it Portuguese or Italian or other one. But on this case it's a little different, as having an EU passport will give you free entry into any EU national league while there's tons of problems for non-EU nationals.

[Asashosakari 19,331]

Then again, I would assume that getting a Japanese passport is not a very easy process for a rikishi, otherwise I would think that more of the Mongolians would have gone down that road, oyakata aspirations or not.

Isn't that because neither Mongolia nor Japan allow for dual citizenship? If a Mongolian rikishi is planning to return to his home country after his career, I don't see what he would gain by obtaining Japanese citizenship.

BTW, does Kaisei qualify for an expedited path to naturalization due to his Japanese ancestry?

[krindel 671]

Isn't that because neither Mongolia nor Japan allow for dual citizenship?

Quite possibly... I didn't know that there was a dual citizenship limitation :-) .

[ScreechingOwl 343]

I don't see the passport issue being a deciding factor for the rikishi, as they have very little time off anyway and need permission to leave the country. The question of citizenship is really tied into a post-sumo career. Obviously it's necessary if you want to remain in sumo. I can't think of rikishi I know changing citizenship for any other reason, although perhaps some have.

Doesn't Kaisei have some Japanese ancestory? If so, it makes even more sense.

[krindel 671]

Never said anything about a rikishi needing the citizenship while active... What I said was that AFTER he retires, even if he doesn't get to be an oyakata, he might find a Japanese passport to be an asset both for himself, his kids etc.

Of course, since according to Asashosakari's post, dual citizenship is not an option, making that choice needs more careful thought...

[Asashosakari 19,331]

Never said anything about a rikishi needing the citizenship while active... What I said was that AFTER he retires, even if he doesn't get to be an oyakata, he might find a Japanese passport to be an asset both for himself, his kids etc.

Of course, since according to Asashosakari's post, dual citizenship is not an option, making that choice needs more careful thought...

I should clarify that, in the case of Mongolian rikishi, it's more the Mongolian prohibition that's the issue; AFAIK it's one of the few countries that automatically revokes your citizenship if you obtain another one. (Japan, too.) But with Japan on the "receiving" end of a naturalization it's a different situation - the government only has limited options to get people to actually renounce their old citizenship if it's not revoked automatically. Plenty of stories around of people who naturalized and kept their old nationality as well, just not exercising it when dealing with Japanese authorities (so they're none the wiser). Kaisei would probably be able to keep both passports if he wants to, as long as he keeps a low profile about it.

[Akinomaki 40,514]

Brazilian Kaisei will be applying for Japanese citizenship on the 11th

Today he was at the legal affairs bureau, some corrections to the application are necessary, but it's the first step. He wanted to get the Japanese nationality earlier, but one has to live 5 years in Japan first. "Finishing with sumo I still want to continue to live here, because Japan is a good place."

[Akinomaki 40,514]

Brazilian Kaisei will be applying for Japanese citizenship on the 11th

Today he was at the legal affairs bureau, some corrections to the application are necessary, but it's the first step.

Application to be at the start of next year, more than 10 forms to be handed over. He tried to complete them by himself, often people ask a notary. He admits "As a Brazilian it is hard to get a visa for an overseas jungyo." As to his prospects of becoming an oyakata after the active career Tomozuna-oyakata said: "Things of the future are completely unclear, but this option also appears."

[bettega 431]

Kaisei is to apply for Japanese citizenship after the Kyushu basho. The necessary documents mostly have been prepared. He would be the 7th (that few?) foreign makuuchi rikishi to become Japanese, the last being Mokonami Sept. 2011. Kaisei plans to become an oyakata later, Tomozuna-oyakata is very much in favour. There have been talk that the requirement for an oyakata to be Japanese could be changed, in connection to the kyokai converting to a new public service entity form, but the prospect it that it stays the same.

Kaisei, Ricardo Sugano is Brasilian in 3rd generation of Japanese origin. His father's parents were Japanese, his mother is half Italian and German. He will change only the name into Kanji, 菅野.

He has not yet fulfilled the criteria for becoming an oyakata, but he can challenge again for sanyaku in Kyushu.

asageiko

He completed the oyakata requirement right now (Aki 2014). It was his 20th basho in Makuuchi!

[Yubinhaad 11,697]

Kaisei was granted Japanese citizenship yesterday, formally announced by publication in the Official Gazette. The digital (PDF) version can be found here, it should automatically open or ask you to download it. Kaisei is the first entry in the first column.

[Asameshimae 220]

Then again, I would assume that getting a Japanese passport is not a very easy process for a rikishi, otherwise I would think that more of the Mongolians would have gone down that road, oyakata aspirations or not.

Isn't that because neither Mongolia nor Japan allow for dual citizenship? If a Mongolian rikishi is planning to return to his home country after his career, I don't see what he would gain by obtaining Japanese citizenship.

BTW, does Kaisei qualify for an expedited path to naturalization due to his Japanese ancestry?

This was my question too. I would guess yes. As long as he has been here, I don't think getting permanent residency without such an ancestry would be very difficult, but it would certainly help to have it.