Questions Arise Over Leadership at Biwako Seikei Sports University Amid Power Harassment Claims

Biwako Seikei Sports University, located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, has produced many professional athletes since its establishment in 2003. Among its graduates is Ai Aoki (39), a synchronized swimmer who represented Japan at the Beijing Olympics, along with over 30 J-League soccer players.

 

Former president Masaaki Okawa (66) has served as a director of the J-League and as the chairman of both the B-League and the current V-League, demonstrating the strong influence of the university’s faculty in the sports world.

 

On September 9 of this month, around 50 members of the soccer team, while “training” in kayaking on Lake Biwa, became lost, leading to a significant incident with temporarily missing persons, drawing considerable attention.

 

“What happened to the prestigious sports institution?”

A certain suspicion stemming from this prestigious sports school is currently causing controversy within the prefecture. Let’s hear an explanation from a local media representative.

 

“There are allegations that a certain staff member, Mr. X, who held a management position at the school, engaged in power harassment against students. Mr. X retired this spring, and the truth of the allegations is unclear, but there are rumors that he may have been dismissed due to his power harassment actions. Interestingly, Mr. X was appointed as the chairperson of the ceremony committee for a sports event called ‘Wata SHIGA Kira Kuni Sports and Disabled Sports,’ scheduled to be held in 2025. Given the event’s high public interest, there has been skepticism within the administration about whether it is appropriate to place someone with power harassment allegations in such a significant position.”

 

Are the suspicions circulating in the prefecture factual? FRIDAY Digital has received multiple tips on this matter. A staff member from the university responded to inquiries, stating that “Mr. X’s power harassment had long been a concern within the school.”

 

“There have been voices indicating that Mr. X had engaged in power harassment towards specific teachers and had subjected some students to insidious harassment. It has been reported that some students suffered from mental health issues due to the power harassment, prompting parents to lodge complaints with the university.”