Head of Japanese Judo Federation Set to Resign Amid Scandals

Haruki Uemura, buy head of Japan’s judo authority, the All Japan Judo Federation (AJJF) has announced he will resign after being implicated in a series of scandals, including sexual harassment, abusive coaching and misuse of funds. His resignation is joined by two other board members.

“We took the recommendation gravely,” Uemura said. “The vice-chairman, secretary-general and I intend to resign. You can take the resignations as being a result of the scandals.”

The series of scandals first started when it was revealed that the coach of the national women’s team was found to have beat athletes with a bamboo sword and called charges “ugly”, telling them to “die” in the run-up to the London Olymics. The coach later resigned.

The following month, reports emerged that in 2011 one of the AJJF’s directors for life made unwanted sexual advances toward a female athlete.

Marius Vizer, the International Judo Federation (IJF) president, has given until 15 October to give a full report on the series of incidents, telling the country’s body to clean up the sport.

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