Sumo Association News Release - November 16, 2003

Kyokai Directors Meeting 
=========================

The Kyokai announced in their Directors meeting on
November 16, they have selected Yoji Yamada, 72,
director of "Tora-san" series movies as their newest
and tenth member of Yokozuna Deliberation Committee (
Yokoshin).

"We are the generation in which we cannot really
discss the time of our youth without talking about our
adoration and memory of Futabayama burning deep in our
heart," Yamada commented in his message 
sent to the Kyokai. 

"He is a man of great wisdom and well versed in social
situation. He has a great appreciatoin of sumo. We
will look forward to receiving his opinion to further
build the sumo world," said Kitanoumo oyakata. 

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The Kyokai approved the new heya headed by Kise
Oyakata(former Maegashira Higonoumi) to be set up as
of December 1.  Kise oyakata  will take with him seven
rikishis from Mihogaseki Beya.  The new heya 
will become 54th heya since the founding of Nishikido
Beya by former Sekiwake Mitoizumi in December 2000.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Additionally the Kyokai announced the dates of their
China Tour - June 5 and 6 in Beijing followed by June
9 in Shanghai next year.   

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In their Directors meeting held on November 16, the
Kyokai decided to keep their payroll in check by not
increasing the base pay of their rikishis and oyakata
for the third year in a row. 

Three years ago, the base pay went up for 3% to make
the Yokozuna salary to 2.82 Million Yen per month,
Hiramaku to 1.309 Million Yen.

Director ranked Toshiyoris earn 1.448 Million Yen. 
Revenue from operations in 2002 was 10.75 Billion Yen,
reduced by 1.6 Billion Yen compared to the previous
year, fourth successive year their revenue has gone
done.

"The salary freeze is a reflection of the current
economic conditions and reality," Takasago oyakata,
Kyokai's PR Director, said.