Re: [sumo] April 10th Osaka-Exhibition tournament

[Katrina <katrina@shoin.ac.jp>]

Lawrence Rogers wrote:
> Good news, I suppose, for English speakers, but I wonder if it's a
> wise move by the sumo association. My spies tell me one of the reasons
> for the decline in Japanese attendance is dissatisfaction at the
> increase in the number of foreign rikishi.  I suspect
> further 'internationalization' will keep more Jpnse away. An
> alternative: give all the gaikoku types who look puzzled a radio for
> the in-house English broadcasting.


He may be correct in his thinking, however this tournament is run by 
Yomiuri TV and they were concerned about selling tickets and filling up 
the stadium.  There were many foreigners at the Osaka Castle Hall two 
years ago and last year in Nagoya (they alternate holding the 
tournament between these cities), so Yomiuri decided to try to capture 
more of the foreign community by making it easier for them to 
understand what was going on.  I doubt it would be possible to do 
"in-house English broadcasting" on rental radios as they do in the 
Kokugikan, the stadium may not be set up for this and who would do the 
broadcasting?  At the Kokugikan they use the NHK TV's BS English 
broadcast.

It is sad to see the decline in the number of Japanese sumo fans, but 
it is not only due to the increase in the number of foreign rikishi.  
There are many factors, including the economy, popularity of other 
sports, the lack of either a really strong Japanese yokozuna or ozeki 
candidate and the absence of a true rival for Asashoryu, as Akebono had 
in Takanohana.

The Nihon Sumo Kyokai recognizes the potential sumo fan market among 
foreigners and has been increasing it's English services.  However, if 
you read Moti's post [sumo] Going in May?Kkan  Special events -long   
you will see that they are making a big effort to attract Japanese fans 
as well.

Perhaps the internationalization of audience as well as rikishi, will 
inspire some national pride and spur Japanese sumo fans and potential 
rikishi to come back and reclaim their "Kokugi" - National Sport.

Katrina



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[EndPost by Katrina <katrina@shoin.ac.jp>]