Be Strong without Violence

He hit on their faces, scolded them saying “You should die.” Searching for asylum, those fifteen girls openly accused him after all. That is the story of women judo national team of Japan. Regretting the team members’ complaints, Ryuji Sonoda stepped down as the head coach, admitting his violence during a training camp of the team. However, his resignation would not solve all the problems. That is because the team needs to be strong without using physical punishments, which have been traditional method for their training.

The fifteen female judo wrestlers sent a letter to the Japanese Olympic Committee at the end of last year for accusing Sonoda’s violence. It included hitting athletes with a bamboo-made kendo sword, and forcing an injured athlete to participate a match. Some of them raised their voice to the Japan Judo Federation last Septemeber, but the federation made almost no effort to investigate. So, they appealed to JOC this time.

The officials of the federation have been relatively sympathetic to Sonoda, saying “He was very eager in educating judo wrestlers,” or “We believe he can manage it.” But the accusation was based on deep disappointment to him and the federation. Understanding that the team would not follow him, Sonoda announced his resignation.

Judo is a sport fundamentally different from other games. While marking the highest record and winning are the most important in field and track games, they are not for judo. Determination, perseverance, or stability is as important as overcoming others. The same can be said to karate, kendo or other martial arts of Japan. To train physical toughness, use of physical punishment has been recognized as an effective method. This traditional mind will not be changed by a single resignation of a head coach.

Not only physical punishment matters. There are mental factors behind the scandal. Athletes also complained to the way the federation announced London Olympic members last summer. Without any information to the wrestlers, the federation picked up national team members from all candidates getting together, separating the wrestlers winners and losers. The firm connection of Sonoda with high officials of the federation was pressure for obedience to the wrestlers.

The social response of Japan was strange. Most media criticized Sonoda and the federation from the perspective that violence was absolute evil. But judo as a martial art is close to exercise of physical power, or violence. The argument lacks the aspect to what extent the exercise of power is allowed in sports.

The government is leaning on how to demonstrate political justice. To show their ability to solve the problem, the governmental officials consider launching the consultative organization for accepting accusations, appealing that they were doing something. Some even worry about bad reputation of Japan as a candidate for the summer Olympic games in 2020. Most seem to be ignoring the crisis of Japan judo.