Yokozuna Kakuryu acquires Japanese citizenship

Dec 10 (NHK) - Mongolian-born sumo wrestler Kakuryu has obtained Japanese citizenship.

News of the grand champion obtaining citizenship was released in the government's gazette on Thursday.

Under rules of the Japan Sumo Association, a foreign wrestler wishing to become a stable master after retirement in order to coach younger wrestlers is required to have Japanese citizenship.

The 35-year-old yokozuna had previously been vague on the question of citizenship. He once said he had wishes to become a stable master but that it was a difficult problem.

Sources close to Kakuryu say he started the necessary procedures last year.

Another yokozuna from Mongolia, Hakuho, obtained Japanese citizenship in September 2019.

Kakuryu came to Japan in 2001 when he was 16 years old. He made his sumo debut the same year. He was promoted to the top rank of yokozuna in March 2014 and has won six grand sumo tournaments.

But with injuries to his lower back, left leg and right elbow, Kakuryu has missed eight of the 12 tournaments held since November 2018.

Last month, the Yokozuna Deliberation Council issued an unprecedented warning to Kakuryu over his repeated absences.

The council said the wrestler is not fulfilling the responsibilities of a yokozuna. It's the second most severe notification, after a recommendation for retirement.

Hakamada Case Ends With Acquittal After 58 Years

The Hakamada case, a decades-long legal struggle, ended with an acquittal for Iwao Hakamada (88), who, along with his sister Hideko, fought for 58 years. Hakamada was suspected of the 1966 murder of a miso company executive’s family.

Japan launches information-gathering satellite on H2A rocket

A Japanese government information-gathering satellite has successfully been put into a planned orbit around Earth. (NHK)

New Red Lights for Japan's Police Cars

Japan's National Police Agency is introducing new patrol cars equipped with red lights designed to assist people with hearing impairments, flashing differently depending on whether the vehicle is on an emergency run or a routine patrol.

Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

Yamagata University, which has been conducting research on the Nazca geoglyphs in Peru, announced the discovery of over 300 new geoglyphs, depicting a variety of subjects, including humans and animals.

University of Tokyo Raises Tuition Fees for First Time in 20 Years

The University of Tokyo has officially decided to increase tuition by approximately 110,000 yen for incoming undergraduate students starting next academic year, bringing the total to 642,960 yen.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Australia nabs four Japanese for smuggling cigarettes

Four Japanese men have been caught at an Australian airport on suspicion of trying to smuggle a large amount of cigarettes into the country. (NHK)

Former 'Breaking Down' Representative Arrested in Fake Investment Scheme

The former representative of the martial arts event company 'Breaking Down,' Yugo Itagaki, along with two other individuals, has been arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police on charges of defrauding a company executive out of 80 million yen.

Woman in Floral Mini-Skirt Targets Zoo Outlets with Mysterious Tape

Strange incidents involving a woman placing black tape on outlets have been occurring around zoos in the Izu area of Shizuoka Prefecture.

Japanese Households with Buddhist Altars Has Drastically Decreased

As the number of households with Buddhist altars continues to decline, largely due to space limitations in modern housing, wholesalers of Buddhist goods are struggling with unsold inventory.

Twelve Referred to Prosecutors for Alleged Abuse at Kuwana Festival Horse Event

Twelve individuals involved in the traditional 'Ageuma Shinji' horse event held last year at Tado Shrine in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, have been referred to prosecutors on allegations of violent behavior toward horses, including forcing them up steep slopes.