In a scandal that’s shaking more than the sumo ring, a respected referee from the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) is now facing serious accusations of embezzling donation money meant for children affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
According to a report from Nikkan Sports, the referee was responsible for collecting donations every other month as part of a long-running fundraising effort, but now stands accused of funneling some of those funds into gambling and other personal expenses.
The JSA reportedly asked the referee to disclose how much he had collected. He refused. That refusal triggered an internal investigation. Sources say he later confessed during questioning by the compliance committee, admitting he had spent “tens of millions of yen on gambling and other things.”
The association is still digging into the matter and is expected to make a final decision on disciplinary action after the board of directors meets in June.
Breach Of Trust In The Heart Of Sumo
The JSA trusted this official with a critical and emotional task: handling donations earmarked for children who lost their homes, families, and stability after one of Japan’s deadliest natural disasters. The money, gathered over the years through collective efforts, held deep meaning for both donors and recipients. According to Nikkan Sports, the referee didn’t just mishandle a few banknotes. Estimates suggest he may have diverted tens of millions of yen, potentially up to ¥100 million, toward personal gambling. At current exchange rates, that could equal around $700,000, though it held even more value when originally collected.
Reset the scandal timers. And this time it's in the mainstream media.
— ヘルット (SPOILERS!) (@SumoFollower) May 26, 2025
The rikishi-kai has been collecting money to support children affected by the 2011 disaster. The money was entrusted to a gyoji.
(1/4)https://t.co/1lTvaK0XVW
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The consequences could stretch far beyond expulsion from the sumo world. Japanese law allows for a prison sentence of up to ten years for crimes of this nature. And while the referee’s identity remains undisclosed for now, anonymity likely won’t last long if the JSA moves forward with public disciplinary action.
“The crime of touching the sacred reserve fund set aside by the sumo wrestlers to support disaster victims is serious, and severe punishment is expected,” Nikkan Sports quoted from the translated report.
With Japan still emotionally tied to the devastation of 2011 and reeling from the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, trust in public-facing institutions is more vital than ever. If the allegations hold true, this incident won’t just leave a blemish on the JSA’s record. It will leave communities wondering who they can trust in their most vulnerable moments.
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