In an unexpected development, former yokozuna Takanohana has been elected to the 10-man board of the Japan Sumo Association. But to think that the election of the 37-year-old will bring quick change to the JSA may be too optimistic. After his election, he did not disclose any reform plans. Takanohana may be reluctant to speak up before board members in their 50s and 60s. Still, it is hoped that he will work steadily to modernize the JSA.
Takanohana, a son of popular former ozeki Takanohana, became the 65th yokozuna in 1994, and by the time he retired in 2003 he had won 22 tournament championships.
The JSA is composed of five groups of stables, and the election of board members has in the past been largely determined through coordination within these groups. Takanohana opposed this practice and left the Nishonoseki group to announce his candidacy for the board as an independent. This act in itself let fresh air into the JSA, which often appears overly wary of rocking the boat.