Raw Japan
Slices of Japanese business, politics and life
Japanese sumo wrestler fired over marijuana
A sumo wrestler was expelled from the ancient Japanese sport on Monday following his arrest for marijuana possession and just a day after U.S. Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps apologised over a photograph purportedly showing him smoking the drug.
The expulsion of Wakakirin, 25, comes after three Russian wrestlers met a similar fate last year over marijuana use, reflecting both Japan’s zero tolerance for the drug and the high standards of behaviour the Japan Sumo Association prides itself on demanding from its members.
Musashikawa, the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, bowed deeply and apologised for the scandal at a televised news conference where he announced the decision to fire Wakakirin.
In contrast, U.S. officials said the news about Phelps was disappointing, but stressed that smoking marijuana out of competition was not an anti-doping matter at this point.
