Sumo Association to
revise systems of tours

The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) said today it is looking into ways to revise its system of regional training tours, which have lost their profitability over the last few years.

The JSA board of directors decided to reexamine the tour system in the wake of sumo's declining popularity in general and a decrease in tour revenue from 3 billion yen in 1997 to 2.4 billion yen last year.

The tours have been a staple in maintaining sumo's popularity throughout Japan with the JSA taking its top wrestlers to smaller cities and towns for training and some practice matches during the time between the six major grand sumo tournaments.

JSA officials appear ready to resume sole control of the tours after letting public relations companies take part in the promotion and operation of the tours in recent years.

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Kyodo News Service