Former Yokozuna Onokuni, Shibatayama Oyakata’s True Nature Revealed Amid Reports of Internal Discord

On March 27, the Japan Sumo Association announced new appointments.

Shibatayama Oyakata (former yokozuna Ohnokuni), a popular “sweets master” who often appeared on variety shows, became the head of the Sumo Training Institute. Speculation is rife over the appointment.

Shibatayama Oyakata, who has served three terms as head of the public relations department, was favored to be appointed head of the business department, the number two position in the association. However, when the lid was opened, he was the head of the Sumo Training Institute. It is no exaggeration to say that this is a “quiet position,” clearly out of the line of succession. Reporters in charge of the case were wondering if he had committed some kind of misconduct. Some even asked, “Is this a retaliatory move? (A sports newspaper reporter in charge of sumo).

The history of the Sumo Training School is long. It was established in 1957 and consists of three training rings and a lecture room, and is located on the grounds of the Ryogoku Kokugikan.

The facility is located on the grounds of the Ryogoku Kokugikan, and is open to foreign rikishi for one year. It is also the schooling site of NHK Gakuen High School for rikishi who entered the school after graduating from junior high school or dropping out of high school. It is also an important facility because it has an independent employment support office and serves as a base for supporting second careers after rikishi retirement. Some say that Shibatayama Oyakata, with his serious nature, is the right person for the job.

So why are there even calls for a “retaliatory appointment”? ……

According to the April 15 issue of “Gendai Business,” the Miyagino stable was shut down after an assault by a rikishi belonging to the stable, and the situation is still riddled with problems,

According to a report in “Gendai Business” published on April 15, Shibatayama Oyakata thought, “I cannot entrust the current problem-ridden association to Chancellor Hakkaku (former yokozuna Kitakatsumi), who only listens to his close associates.

Shibatayama Oyakata thought, “I cannot entrust the current problem-ridden association to Chancellor Hakkaku (former yokozuna Kitakatsumi), who only listens to his inner circle. Therefore, Shibatayama Oyakata moved to “drop Hakkaku” in the election held on January 26. However, few board members were willing to follow his lead, and he failed miserably. In fact, he was even subjected to retaliatory appointments. As a result, President Hakkaku was elected to continue in office for a fifth term, and Kasugano Oyakata (former Sekiwake Tochino-Waka) was appointed as the head of the business department.