相撲協会改革 公益法人に恥じぬ組織運営を

The Yomiuri Shimbun February 3, 2014
Sumo association must work hard as new entity to win support of public
相撲協会改革　公益法人に恥じぬ組織運営を（2月3日付・読売社説）

Now that it has become a public interest incorporated foundation, the Japan Sumo Association must make the most of this opportunity to transform itself into an organization with a self-purifying power.
　公益財団法人への移行を機に、自浄能力を持つ組織に生まれ変わることが求められる。

The Cabinet Office has certified the association as a public interest incorporated foundation, and the association has officially registered itself as the new type of legal entity.
　内閣府は、日本相撲協会を公益財団法人に認定した。協会は登記手続きを行い、新法人に移行した。

The sumo world was rocked by a series of scandals, including the fatal assault of a sumo wrestler by stablemates, gambling on baseball, and bout-fixing. The association has been told by such entities as the sports ministry, which has jurisdiction over the JSA, to implement organizational reform, greatly delaying the procedures for the transformation into the new incorporated foundation.
　相撲界は、力士の暴行死事件や野球賭博、八百長問題など、相次ぐ不祥事に揺れた。相撲協会は所管の文部科学省などから組織改革を求められ、移行への手続きが大幅に遅れていた。

With its new status, the JSA will continue to be entitled to preferential tax treatment, and revenue from the grand tournaments and tournaments in provinces will remain tax-exempt.
　従来、公益法人だった相撲協会は、新制度に基づく公益財団法人に認定されたことで、今後も税の優遇措置を受けられる。本場所や巡業の収入は非課税扱いだ。

While taking to heart its responsibility of carrying on the tradition of sumo wrestling, the JSA had to make an effort to enhance the transparency of its businesses.
　大相撲の伝統を継承していく責務を肝に銘じ、事業の透明性向上に努めねばならない。

The most typical example of its opaqueness is the issue of how to deal with the JSA’s “elder shares.”
　不透明な実態の最たる例が、年寄名跡の扱いだ。

At present, there are 107 elder shares. Unless a sumo wrestler obtains an elder share upon retirement, he cannot become a stablemaster.
現在、１０７の年寄名跡がある。これを保有しなければ、力士引退後、親方になることはできない。

Trade of elder shares

Elder shares have been traded for huge amounts of money. There are said to have been such deals involving several hundred millions of yen. Generally speaking, the trading of rights to gain income from the association as a stablemaster is a custom hard to understand.
　年寄名跡は高額で売買されてきた。億単位の金銭のやり取りもあったとされる。親方として協会から収入を得る権利の売買は、一般的には理解し難い慣習だ。

In its switch to a public interest incorporated foundation, the JSA has stipulated, in its articles of association, that the elder shares are to be placed under its centralized control. Elders who are to retire are able to recommend their replacement, but the transfer of money is prohibited at the time of succession. Those who violate the rule will be severely punished.
　公益財団法人への移行にあたり、相撲協会は年寄名跡を協会で一括管理することを定款に明記した。退任する年寄は、後継者を推薦できる一方で、継承に際し、金銭の授受は禁止される。違反者は厳重処分を受ける。

This is a step forward, but a concern remains. Those who succeed to an elder’s name can pay a “guidance fee” to a former elder for advice on how to manage a stable, on condition of notifying the JSA.
　一歩前進であるが、懸念は残る。名跡の襲名者は、部屋運営のノウハウなどを学ぶため、協会に申告するのを条件に、前親方に指導料を支払うことができる。

Will the trade of elder shares effectively continue under the guise of guidance fees? The JSA must develop a strict system to scrutinize this possibility.
　指導料が隠れみのとなって、名跡売買が実質的に続くことになりはしないか。協会の厳格なチェック体制の整備が必要である。

It is praiseworthy that the relationship between the JSA and each stable has been clarified. With regards to the training of sumo wrestlers, the association will conclude a commission contract with stablemasters.
　協会と各部屋の関係を明確にした点は評価できる。力士の養成に関し、協会は、部屋の親方と委託契約を結ぶ仕組みになる。

When irregularities occurred in the past, the association often tried to put an end to scandals by blaming the stables, saying, for instance, “The stablemaster’s way of nurturing the wrestler was wrong.” From now on, the association’s responsibility to consign training of wrestlers outside stables will be put to the test.
　不祥事の際、協会は「親方の教育が悪い」などと、各部屋の責任にして幕引きを図ることが多かった。今後は契約上の委託元として、協会の責任も問われよう。

The form of the JSA’s council of the board of trustees, the highest decision-making organization for the incorporated foundation, will also change. The majority of the five- to seven-member council will comprise outside experts. It is important to respect the opinions of those outside the sumo world to correct long-standing evils.
　最高意思決定機関である評議員会の形態も変わる。５～７人のメンバーの過半数が外部有識者となる。角界外の意見を尊重し、旧弊を改善することが肝要だ。

For the JSA to win public support as an entity to operate the “national sport,” sumo wrestlers must give performances to meet the public expectations. Hopes are growing for the advent of a Japanese yokozuna. We hope both the JSA and sumo stables will make further efforts in fostering strong sumo wrestlers.
　「国技」の運営母体として、協会が国民から支持されるには、土俵の充実が欠かせない。日本人横綱を待望する声は高まっている。協会と各部屋は、強い力士の養成に一層、力を注いでほしい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 3, 2014)
（2014年2月3日01時48分  読売新聞）