NEWSWORTHY
Heisei Era a bumpy ride for Japan's media organizations
The media is busy assessing the Heisei Era as it comes to a close. Although not as dramatic as the Showa Era, it's been a bumpy ride. Japan still hasn't gotten the hang of this democracy thing, and an engaged, objective press is essential ...
The violence and scandals that have plagued Japan's sumo world came full circle just after the year's sixth and final tournament, leaving maiden victories by the sport's young up-and-comers in the shadows. Revelations of violence, harassment and antiquated traditions dogged the country's once-venerable sport in ...
The Japan Sumo Association said Wednesday that rank-and-file wrestler Takanoiwa, whose beating by former yokozuna Harumafuji caused a scandal last year, assaulted an attendant of his stable during the ongoing regional tour. Just two months after the sport's governing body issued a "declaration to eradicate ...
Koji Hanada, who was yokozuna and stablemaster under the name Takanohana, has divorced former TV announcer Keiko Kono, sources said Monday. Hanada married Kono in 1995 after being promoted to yokozuna. The couple had three children. As Takanohana, the 46-year-old Hanada won 22 tournaments in the ...
Less than two months after suddenly moving to his new stable, Takakeisho gave the Chiganoura stable its first grand sumo tournament champion on Sunday. The 22-year-old had been forced to find a new home after his original stablemaster, controversial former yokozuna Takanohana, abruptly quit the ...
Fujio Kariya recalls memorable moments in announcing career
For Fujio Kariya, NHK's executive commentator (the broadcaster's top news commentator), the most impressive bout in his 31-year career as an NHK sumo announcer took place at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in 1988. That was when yokozuna Onokuni upset fellow yokozuna Chiyonofuji on the ...
Sumo dominance down to heart over matter
The newly-released banzuke (rankings) for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament see Hakuho back in his old familiar 'Yokozuna 1 East' position. It is the 48th time that the Mongolian veteran has occupied the top slot — a sumo record. Indeed at this stage in his ...
Sumo wrestler Takanoiwa filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking ¥24 million ($210,000) in damages from Harumafuji, claiming the former yokozuna's assault last year forced him to miss matches due to injuries and caused him financial loss. Harumafuji faced a summary indictment in December for assaulting the ...
JSA officially accepts Takanohana's resignation during board meeting
The Japan Sumo Association held an extraordinary board meeting on Monday and officially recognized stablemaster Takanohana's resignation, along with the termination of his stable and the transfer of his wrestlers to the Chiganoura stable. Takanohana had submitted his resignation to the JSA last Tuesday, but ...
The departure of Takanohana from the Japan Sumo Association should never have been allowed to happen.
Takanohana's departure marks end of era for sumo
Takanohana's retirement, announced on Tuesday, brings to an end the Hanada dynasty's 72-year-long involvement in sumo. The scion of a family that dominated both in the ring and in the headlines since the 1950's, Takanohana never seemed at ease in the sport that was his ...
Takanohana steps down from JSA
The Japan Sumo Association attempted to force stablemaster Takanohana to admit that the accusations he filed to the Cabinet Office in March were false. Instead, the former yokozuna who won 22 Emperor's Cups in his illustrious career opted to retire from professional sumo. Takanohana submitted his ...
