TBS advised to freeze anti-takeover step against Rakuten

TBS advised to freeze anti-takeover step against Rakuten

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc. President Hiroshi Inoue (L) receives a report on Sept. 7 from Mainichi Newspapers Co. President Masato Kitamura, head of a third-party panel, which advised TBS to freeze a procedure for anti-takeover steps against Rakuten Inc.

Yokozuna Hakuho

Yokozuna Hakuho

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 5 Kyodo - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (R) participates in Yokozuna Deliberation Council practice, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, on Jan. 5, 2018, while Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hakkaku (far L), chairman of the advisory council, Masato Kitamura (second far L), and other members watch.

TBS advised to freeze anti-takeover step against Rakuten

TBS advised to freeze anti-takeover step against Rakuten

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc. President Hiroshi Inoue (L) receives a report on Sept. 7 from Mainichi Newspapers Co. President Masato Kitamura, head of a third-party panel, which advised TBS to freeze a procedure for anti-takeover steps against Rakuten Inc. (Kyodo)

Yokozuna Hakuho

Yokozuna Hakuho

Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (R) participates in Yokozuna Deliberation Council practice, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, on Jan. 5, 2017, while Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hakkaku (far L), chairman of the advisory council, Masato Kitamura (second far L), and other members watch. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Yokozuna Deliberation Council practice

Yokozuna Deliberation Council practice

Masato Kitamura (far L), chairman of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, watches sumo wrestlers including grand champion Hakuho (front R), during practice at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 5, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sumo council

Sumo council

Masato Kitamura, chief of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, an advisory body to the Japan Sumo Association, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 20, 2017. Kitamura heads the panel that oversees the quality of the grand champions of the sport. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sumo advisory body calls for Harumafuji to face "harsh punishment"

Sumo advisory body calls for Harumafuji to face "harsh punishment"

Combined photo shows Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hakkaku (L) and Masato Kitamura, chairman of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, attending a meeting of the council in Tokyo on Nov. 27, 2017. The council has agreed on the need for "extremely harsh punishment" to be meted out to grand champion Harumafuji over his assault on a lower-ranked wrestler. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo