The Japan Sumo Association will elect a new chairman on Dec. 18 to replace the late Kitanoumi, a JSA official said Sunday.
Hakkaku, the JSA's senior executive manager, has been serving as acting chairman following Kitanoumi's death on Friday evening. The election to appoint Kitanoumi's successor will be held at an ordinary meeting of the board of directors.
According to the JSA official, the new chairman, who will be in place until the conclusion of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in March, has to be appointed to handle paperwork such as the budget. The appointment will be made following a consensus of the 12 directors, with Hakkaku being the front-runner.
The new board members will be elected after the Spring meet and will decide on the next chairman.