'Habitual drunk and sexual harassment' student assault → "Yes, I slapped him" → '176kg legend' Teraonofuji's current status: "I went to visit him directly..."

*This content was translated by AI.

The Japan Sumo Association has belatedly launched an on-site inspection of Teraonofuji Haruo (34), a sumo legend who drew public outrage for 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.

According to a report by Japanese media outlet 'Kyodo News' on the 3rd, "Junpachi Sado, the compliance officer of the Japan Sumo Association, visited Teraonofuji's Isegahama stable on the 2nd to personally inspect the training site."

This inspection is a follow-up to the incident in February when Teraonofuji assaulted his student Hakunofuji at a drinking party, resulting in a two-division demotion and a pay cut. Teraonofuji testified through the association that "Hakunofuji sexually harassed a female employee of a corporate sponsor at the drinking party, so I slapped him once with my fist and once with my palm as part of his education." He added, "I was trying to educate my student due to his persistent drinking habits." At the time, the association maintained Teraonofuji's position as stable master despite his direct assault on the student, using the absurd logic that the act was not malicious. This decision sparked controversy over fairness with the case of Hakuhō Shō, who had previously been forced to close his stable for failing to prevent an assault.

It is reported that SDo Ga-ta-ke (Director), who visited the site in his capacity as an ethics inspector, stayed for about an hour and held a meeting with Teraonofuji. Shortly after the inspection, SDo Ga-ta-ke (Director) told 'Kyodo News' that "the master and the stable's coaching staff were giving clear instructions to each student in training, making sure to shout loudly at them."

The association's board of directors had set the condition that Teraonofuji would teach his students in a group leadership system alongside four other coaching staff from the stable, rather than alone. This effectively covered up what should have been a complete revocation of his master status by adopting the form of joint management. In response, SDo Ga-ta-ke (Director) stated, "We have concluded our discussions with the stable side," and emphasized that the association's guidelines are being followed by adding, "I will formally report my impressions from the inspection to the association."

However, this inspection is widely interpreted as a mere ritual to grant Teraonofuji a pardon. In particular, since the victim, Hakunofuji, was forcibly transferred to Hakuhō's Miyagino stable and was assaulted shortly after arriving, criticism continues to mount that the association, having lost a power struggle with the perpetrator Teraonofuji, 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.