The scapegoating of Asa

Two thumbs up for James Eriksson and Debito Arudou on their article (Zeit Gist, Sept. 4), the first and only in Japan that actually looks at the facts of the whole (Asashoryu) situation and doesn't just follow the bandwagon of "Asa-bashing."

For the past four years, it was Asa that basically carried the entire sumo industry and raised its popularity among youngsters and yet (the Japan Sumo Association) is treating him like an outcast and a "traitor" of the sport.

JSA utilized his "bad-boy" character commercially when he was the only yokozuna around, but now we have another — more mild-tempered Hakuho — they try to destroy (Asa), both personally and professionally.