Nippon Steel chief Muneoka to be named new Japan judo chief
Sunday, 11 August 2013
August 11 - Shoji Muneoka, chairman and chief executive of Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp, is set to be named as the new President of the All Japan Judo Federation (AJJF) signalling an end to the months of scandal and unrest for the sport in the nation.The 67-year-old (pictured top) is expected to be elected to replace incumbent Haruki Uemura, who announced he would resign by the end of this month after taking responsibility for the physical abuse of coaches and the misuse of funds.
Vice-presidents Hiroaki Fujita and Nobuyuki Sato, secretary general Koshi Onozawa and chief secretariat Kiyoshi Murakami will also resign with replacements set to be chosen at the extraordinary board of directors meeting on Wednesday (August 14) before putting the matter to the extraordinary board of trustees meeting at the end of August – the date given by the Government to get its house in order.
Meanwhile, International Judo Federation (IJF) President Marius Vizer has given the AJJF until October 15 to submit a full report on the scandals.
If Muneoka becomes the new AJJF chief it will be the first time someone not promoted from within its ranks has led the organisation.
He does, however, have a proven background in the sport as the current chairman of the All Japan Businessmen's Judo Federation.
He also served as captain of the University of Tokyo's judo club as a student.
Contact the writer of this story at emily.goddard@insidethegames.biz
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