'Drunk and Habitual Sexual Harassment of Women' Outrage → 176kg Legend Slaps Disciple's Cheek, 'Historic' Controversy Continues: "Why on Earth Such a Punishment..."

*This content was translated by AI.

The Japanese sumo world is embroiled in controversy over alleged double standards in disciplinary actions. However, one media outlet has countered claims of unfair punishment as unreasonable.

The Japanese media outlet 'Victory' stated on the 10th, "Citing low standards or past cases from decades ago and indiscriminately comparing them to current strict compliance standards to claim unfairness is merely an absurd controversy stemming from a lack of understanding of the institutional mechanism," defending the justification of the punishment carried out by the Japan Sumo Association.

At the center of current public criticism is the case of Terunofuji, who was demoted two ranks in the leadership hierarchy and subjected to a 10% salary reduction for three months following a February incident in which he assaulted a disciple. Terunofuji, a former yokozuna, slapped his disciple Hakuhofuji in the face after the latter, while drunk at a lounge in Tokyo, sexually harassed a female sponsor representative.

At the time, the association refrained from imposing the harshest penalties, such as revoking the master's qualification or dissolving the stable, taking into account that Terunofuji voluntarily reported the incident to the association immediately afterward without attempting to cover it up, that it was an isolated incident rather than habitual violence, and that his educational purpose was to prevent his disciple's sexual harassment.

Supporters of Hakuhofuji have long criticized the association's inconsistent double standards, contrasting this case with the severe punishment Hakuhofuji received, which was tantamount to team dissolution, for allegedly turning a blind eye to violence among his disciples. They argue that this is inequitable when compared to past cases, such as the 2007 incident where a group of disciples committed fatal assault or the 2020 case where a team was forcibly dissolved due to habitual violence.

However, 'Victory' explained, "In Terunofuji's case, he reported the incident immediately without any attempt to cover it up after it occurred, cooperated with the fact-finding investigation, and fully acknowledged his own wrongdoing. As a result, the violence punishment standards were objectively enforced."

The media further pointed out, "Hakuhofuji voluntarily signed an unprecedented conditional agreement stating that he would be subject to a review of his leadership qualifications if any issues arose, yet he was accused of not reporting his disciple's assault himself and attempting to cover it up in an organized manner. Treating a master who reported a violent incident immediately and a master who did not report it and attempted an organized cover-up as equals is to collapse the premise of comparison."

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*This content was translated by AI.