Ex-Stablemaster’s Public Apology at Illegal Parking Trial

“I will live my life so that this never happens again.”

At the courtroom, the former sumo wrestler expressed remorse with these words.

On December 3, the first trial was held at the Tokyo District Court for Masahiro Sakamoto (52), who is charged with forgery of official documents and other offenses. Sakamoto is the former Tokitsukaze stablemaster, a retired top-division sumo wrestler with two Jūryō championships and four Technique Awards. After retiring, he coached younger wrestlers. He is accused of forging official documents and repeatedly parking illegally.

“The incident occurred in February 2025. The stablemaster allegedly parked on a street in Sumida, Tokyo, displaying a color-copied ‘Parking Exemption Permit’ on the dashboard. The permit, issued by the public safety commission for people with disabilities, exempts holders from parking restrictions.

At the first trial, the stablemaster admitted the charges, saying, ‘It’s true.’ The prosecution criticized him as self-centered and selfish, seeking a prison sentence of 1 year and 6 months, citing repeated illegal parking as evidence of habitual behavior. The defense requested probation, and the case concluded the same day,” said a judicial reporter from a national newspaper.

The stablemaster has caused trouble in the past, violating the Japan Sumo Association guidelines three times and receiving retirement recommendations. Following his resignation, FRIDAY interviewed him (June 18, 2021 issue), where he showed a bowing apology as a gesture to fans. Here, we revisit his reflections and explanations shared at that time.

Did not engage during the tournament

The stablemaster first violated the rules in June 2010, when he was involved in baseball gambling and was demoted to the lowest-ranking position of heian-yori within the stable. He explained at the time:

“It was done lightly. I regret being involved with gambling with such a careless mindset.”

The second lapse occurred in September 2020. Despite the Sumo Association’s COVID-19 guidelines prohibiting nonessential outings, he was invited by a friend to participate in a golf competition in Miyagi Prefecture. Afterwards, he traveled to Fukuoka Prefecture to return to his hometown in Goto, Nagasaki Prefecture, and stayed there for several days.

“Due to the typhoon, I couldn’t return to Tokyo. It seems the association was aware of the situation, because while I was in Fukuoka, I got a phone call scolding me, saying, ‘You went golfing, didn’t you!’”

He was ordered to be suspended during the September tournament. During the suspension, he developed acute pancreatitis, leaving him bedridden for about three weeks and unable to eat, losing roughly 20 kilograms.

Furthermore, in January 2021, Shūkan Bunshun (February 4, 2021 issue) reported that during the New Year tournament, he had frequented a mahjong parlor in Akasaka (Minato Ward, Tokyo) and adult entertainment establishments in Shimbashi (Minato Ward) almost every day.

“The fact that I went to a friend’s office in Akasaka after the main tournament is true. It is a licensed mahjong parlor, but it only has one table and is not open to the public. We played mahjong among friends, but not during the tournament. The report is incorrect. We just chatted and had a meal.”

Also stressed

Regarding visits to adult entertainment establishments in Shimbashi.

“Embarrassingly, I did go. At the time, my relationship with my wife was strained, and the stress from being hospitalized with acute pancreatitis had built up. A lot had accumulated.”

After Shūkan Bunshun’s report, the stablemaster immediately submitted his resignation to the Sumo Association.

“Since this was my third violation of the rules, I felt I had to take responsibility. I then gathered the wrestlers on the second floor of the stable to report. When I apologized, saying, ‘I think I’ll be retiring. I’m sorry,’ everyone fell silent.”

In February 2021, the Sumo Association issued a retirement recommendation for the Tokitsukaze stablemaster and reduced his retirement allowance by 30%. However, the turmoil did not end there—he ended up divorcing his wife.

“She was understandably very angry after I repeatedly violated the rules. I stayed and slept in the private room at the stable, while my wife was at home, so our communication was minimal. It was all my own fault.”

Having repeatedly caused trouble, he left the association, lost his family, and, with the incident mentioned earlier, further damaged his social credibility. The verdict is scheduled to be announced on January 14, 2026.