The Japan Sumo Association is likely to call an extraordinary session of its board of directors soon to discuss punishment for a referee accused of sexual harassment, the second scandal to mar the traditional sport in recent months.
Top-ranked referee Shikimori Inosuke molested a teenage referee during December's winter tournament, according to the JSA.
The 58-year-old tategyoji (top referee), whose real name is Itsuo Nouchi, molested the teen by kissing him several times and touching his chest after becoming heavily intoxicated at a lodging facility on the night of Dec. 16, the first day of the regional tournament in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, the association said Friday.