'Habitual sexual harassment after drinking': 176kg legend who assaulted his student now faces controversy over 'a staggering 23.6 billion won' — "Historically weak disciplinary action"

*This content was translated by AI.

Terunofuji Haruo, a Japanese sumo legend who previously drew public outrage for receiving only a slap-on-the-wrist punishment despite physically beating his student, is now under scrutiny again for pushing forward a business venture worth 2.5 billion yen (approximately 23.6 billion won) that utilizes a sumo stable.

Japanese media outlet 'Daily Shincho' reported on the 19th that "Terunofuji, who was demoted by two ranks following the student assault incident, is moving forward with plans to construct a lavish new stable costing approximately 2.5 billion yen, causing unrest within the sumo community."

Unlike the case of Hakuhō Shō, who was ordered to close his stable in the past for failing to prevent an assault, Terunofuji sparked controversy last February when he physically assaulted his student Hakunofuji at a drinking party yet received only a lenient punishment from the Japan Sumo Association that allowed him to retain his Do Jang (CEO) position.

During his active career, Terunofuji possessed a monstrous physique standing 192 cm tall and weighing 176 kg. Following the assault incident, he voluntarily reported to the association, claiming through the organization that "Hakunofuji, while heavily intoxicated, behaved rudely toward a sponsor representative and committed sexual harassment, prompting me to lose my temper and strike his cheek with my fist and palm as a form of education."

The Japanese sumo community had issued a 'Declaration to End Violence' in 2018 to eradicate frequent violent acts within the industry, leading to expectations of severe punishment. However, the Japan Sumo Association decided to avoid the harshest penalties such as dismissal, dissolution of his stable, forced resignation, or removal from office, citing the absence of habitual violence and the fact that he turned himself in. Ultimately, the association imposed only a two-rank demotion in his instructor rank and a 10% salary reduction for three months.

According to 'Daily Shincho', Terunofuji's new stable will be built within a 10-minute walk from Ryogoku Kokugikan. It will be a massive seven-story building.

The most contentious issue concerns the building's structure. Initially, Terunofuji envisioned a restaurant targeting foreign tourists, where diners could overlook the training hall inside the stable through windows. However, the association reportedly halted the plan, instructing him not to exploit the sacred sumo arena (Ryōgoku Kokugikan) for profit.

The Isegahama stable already faced an official warning from the association in March this year for aggressively operating morning training viewing tours in collaboration with travel agencies to reap excessive profits. The current building construction is also widely understood to be driven by commercial motives aimed at monopolizing foreign tourist demand and generating massive profits.

According to 'Daily Shincho', criticism is pouring in from Japan regarding the actions of the legend who caused a violent scandal by beating his student: "He maintained good relations with the association's leadership to secure his position, and now he is openly evading regulations to chase profits."

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*This content was translated by AI.