Habitual drunk driving and sexual harassment → "I did slap my student's cheek": The latest update on the '176kg legend' of Sumo, who received 'true education' after visiting him directly...

*This content was translated by AI.

The Japan Sumo Association has belatedly launched an on-site inspection of Terunofuji Haruo (34), a legend of Japanese sumo who sparked public outrage after beating his student and receiving only a slap-on-the-wrist punishment. However, the inspection appears to be merely a show of administrative action, as it takes the form of on-site guidance rather than imposing any substantive disciplinary measures.

Japanese media outlet 'Kyodo News' reported on the 3rd that "Junpatake, the compliance officer of the Japan Sumo Association, visited Terunofuji's Isegahama stable on the 2nd to personally inspect the training site."

This inspection is a follow-up measure to the incident in February when Terunofuji assaulted his student Hakunofuji at a drinking party, resulting in a two-division demotion and a pay cut. Terunofuji testified through the association that "Hakunofuji sexually harassed a female employee of a corporate sponsor at the drinking party, so I slapped his cheek once with my fist and once with my palm for educational purposes," adding that "I was trying to educate my student due to his persistent drinking habits." At the time, the association maintained Terunofuji's position as stable master with the absurd logic that his actions were not malicious, despite him physically striking his student, thereby reigniting controversy over fairness with Hakuhou Sho, who had previously been forced to close his stable for condoning assault.

It is reported that Junpatake, who visited the site in his capacity as an ethics inspector, stayed for about an hour and held a meeting with Terunofuji. Immediately after the inspection, Junpatake conveyed the atmosphere at the site to 'Kyodo News', stating, "The master and the stable's coaching staff were giving clear instructions to each student in training, making sure to shout loudly."

The association's board of directors set the condition for Terunofuji's disciplinary action that he must teach his students in a collective leadership system alongside four other coaching staff members from the stable, rather than alone. This effectively covered up what should have been a complete revocation of his master qualification with the form of joint management. In response, Junpatake stated, "We have concluded our discussions with the stable side," and emphasized that the association's guidelines are being followed by noting that he will formally report his impressions from the inspection to the association.

However, this inspection is interpreted as merely a perfunctory act to grant Terunofuji a pardon. In particular, since the victim, Hakunofuji, was assaulted shortly after being forcibly transferred to Hakuhou's Miyagino stable, criticism continues to mount that the association, having lost a power struggle with the perpetrator Terunofuji, is only eager to protect its own. Ultimately, the Sumo Association's promise to eradicate violence appears to have collapsed once again.

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*This content was translated by AI.