'I tried to stop the sexual harassment,' but one-sided assault leads to controversy over light punishment: "The power was too overwhelming..."

*This content was translated by AI.

Criticism toward the legend of the Japanese sumo world is growing increasingly fierce. Terunofuji Haruo (34), who received severe sanctions for assaulting his disciple, is at the center of a heated controversy in Japan over whether the punishment is too lenient compared to similar past cases.

On the 24th, the Japanese media outlet 'Daily Shunchu' strongly criticized the Japan Sumo Association's decision to demote Terunofuji by two ranks and impose a 10% salary cut for three months, calling it a typical "soft-handed punishment."

The outlet further reported that the incident was "the result of the association bowing to the absolute power of the Isegahama stable to which Terunofuji belongs," conveying the voices of various stakeholders without omission or addition.

Terunofuji, originally from Mongolia, is a former yokozuna, the highest rank in Japanese sumo. After retiring from active competition, he has been active as a leader of the Isegahama stable.

However, Terunofuji recently became the center of controversy after being identified as the perpetrator of the assault on his disciple. In February, he admitted to unilaterally beating his disciple, Hakuhou, at a dinner party with a sponsor.

According to local reports, Terunofuji slapped Hakuhou's cheeks with his fist and palm, saying, "How many times do you have to repeat the same thing?" after Hakuhou engaged in inappropriate physical contact with a female acquaintance of the sponsor, among other scandals.

In response, the Sumo Association considered that Terunofuji voluntarily reported the incident immediately and that it was a one-time disciplinary action without a pattern of habitual behavior, concluding the sanctions with a demotion in rank rather than measures such as dissolving the stable.

However, the local reaction has been cold. Kobayashi Nobuya, a local expert, told 'Daily Shunchu,' "Hakuhou, who did not personally wield violence, suffered the humiliation of his team being closed due to the crime of negligence, yet Terunofuji, who directly beat his disciple, receives a lighter punishment. This does not make sense." In fact, it is reported that Nakagawa Oyakata, who habitually assaulted his disciples in 2020, also had his team closed.

There are also indications that the difference in punishment ultimately stemmed from the size of the stables. A Sumo Association official revealed, "Hakuhou's Miyagino stable had weak influence, but the Isegahama stable, which boasts the largest number of active rikishi (wrestlers) at 32, holds immense power within the association. 'If we turn them into enemies, we would be at a disadvantage in elections and other areas, so no one dares to oppose them.'"

Even amidst such criticism, some voices continue to defend Terunofuji. Emphasis is placed on the fact that Hakuhou was a habitual offender who had previously committed similar sexual harassment issues, arguing that the physical force used was an inevitable measure to prevent his disciple's shameless crime. According to 'Yahoo Japan' and other sources, local public opinion also shows a significant number of sympathizers who believe "Hakuhou deserved it."

Ultimately, this incident became a glimpse showing that the Japan Sumo Association's declared will to end violence, announced in 2018, is being selectively applied according to the power dynamics within the organization. 'Daily Shunchu' also pointed out that "the association may set a wrong precedent of turning a blind eye to one-time violence or voluntary reports."

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*This content was translated by AI.