Japan`s AJJF President Uemura to resign in June

The All Japan Judo Federation today also released the updated version of its project to curtail violence and harassment:

(公財)全日本柔道連盟　改革・改善実行プロジェクト
　当連盟では、暴力、暴言、パワハラ問題についての第三者委員会からの提言と、日本オリンピック委員会（JOC）からの改善勧告については、次の通りそれぞれの担当をつくり、開かれた全柔連、開かれた柔道界、公明なことができるような組織となるよう、柔道界一丸となり取り組んでいく所存であります。　改革・改善に関わる各部会の進捗状況におきましては、随時ご報告申し上げます。
[url=attach//20130527_kaikakukaizenpj_gaiyou.pdf]改革・改善実行プロジェクトの概要[/url]
「暴力の根絶」宣言
[url=attach//20130611_bouryoku_konzetsu.pdf]暴力根絶に向けて（2013.6版）[/url]
※「暴力の根絶」プロジェクト会議についてはこちら
指導方針分科会
組織改革分科会
[url=attach//20130611_zyoumurijikai.pdf]常務理事会の設立（2013.6版）[/url]
[url=attach//20130611_meyasubako.pdf]公聴制度（柔道目安箱）（2013.6版）[/url]
強化システム分科会
[url=attach//20130427_sensyusenkou.pdf]オリンピック、世界選手権、講道館杯への代表選手選考基準・出場資格等（2013.4版）[/url]
子供プロジェクト分科会
コンプライアンス分科会
[url=attach//20130611_naibu_tsuhou.pdf]内部通報制度（全柔連コンプライアンスホットライン）（2013.6版）[/url]
リスクマネジメント分科会
[url=attach//20130611_setsumei_jouhou.pdf]説明責任と情報公開について（2013.6版）[/url]

Cichorei Kano wrote:The All Japan Judo Federation today also released the updated version of its project to curtail violence and harassment:

(公財)全日本柔道連盟　改革・改善実行プロジェクト
　当連盟では、暴力、暴言、パワハラ問題についての第三者委員会からの提言と、日本オリンピック委員会（JOC）からの改善勧告については、次の通りそれぞれの担当をつくり、開かれた全柔連、開かれた柔道界、公明なことができるような組織となるよう、柔道界一丸となり取り組んでいく所存であります。　改革・改善に関わる各部会の進捗状況におきましては、随時ご報告申し上げます。
[url=attach//20130527_kaikakukaizenpj_gaiyou.pdf]改革・改善実行プロジェクトの概要[/url]

平成25年4月12日

公益財団法人全日本柔道連盟

会　長　　上　村　春　樹

「暴力の根絶」宣言
[url=attach//20130611_bouryoku_konzetsu.pdf]暴力根絶に向けて（2013.6版）[/url]
※「暴力の根絶」プロジェクト会議についてはこちら
指導方針分科会
組織改革分科会
[url=attach//20130611_zyoumurijikai.pdf]常務理事会の設立（2013.6版）[/url]
[url=attach//20130611_meyasubako.pdf]公聴制度（柔道目安箱）（2013.6版）[/url]
強化システム分科会
[url=attach//20130427_sensyusenkou.pdf]オリンピック、世界選手権、講道館杯への代表選手選考基準・出場資格等（2013.4版）[/url]
子供プロジェクト分科会
コンプライアンス分科会
[url=attach//20130611_naibu_tsuhou.pdf]内部通報制度（全柔連コンプライアンスホットライン）（2013.6版）[/url]
リスクマネジメント分科会
[url=attach//20130611_setsumei_jouhou.pdf]説明責任と情報公開について（2013.6版）
[/url]

Thanks for the clarification:scratch:

I guess all that means I can't slap Lurch and Billc around anymore....    

This is obviously for the benefit of Vizer and the IJF and nit for the betterment of Japanese Judo. They re-install a client king who will stay in line instead of one who would have Japanese Judo's interests in mind first.

As usual, it remains all about money.

NBK wrote:I guess all that means I can't slap Lurch and Billc around anymore....    

I am not the one with the sore right ear ...

BillC wrote:

NBK wrote:I guess all that means I can't slap Lurch and Billc around anymore....    

I am not the one with the sore right ear ...

Soon as the swelling goes down, you're a dead man....

Latest wrap up - the panel is pointing out that while the govt funds were disbursed for and accounted for as individual or small group coaching and development, a number of the coaches never even met their athletes.  They simply filed development plans and got paid. 

I am neither a lawyer nor accountant, but that's my tax yen they're addressing. A portion of that undeserved stipend was kicked back to the federation officials involved for the 'development reserve fund', which apparently became what one in the US one might term a 'slush fund' which was apparently largely paid out in the form of entertainment for said federation officials and judo coaches, which I guess could also be a violation of Japanese income tax laws as undeclared income.  

I doubt if this is unique to judo, but again its unwelcome news for the embattled judo organizations in Japan and Uemura kancho.

And yet another example of govt waste and abuse that is enough to make your head explode.   That's near $400,000 at then exchange rates that could have been used for something useful. 

Or at least I could have been invited to the parties.... 

*****




27 judo coaches got illegal payments

Kyodo Jun 21, 2013



An independent panel investigating misappropriation of funds by the All Japan Judo Federation said Friday that 27 coaches received illegal payments to the tune of ¥36.2 million.

They received subsidies provided by the Japan Sports Council from fiscal 2007 onward during periods where they did not actually coach any athletes, the panel said in its final report on the investigation.

The investigating committee, headed by lawyer Takahiro Yamauchi, issued a damning midterm report in April that indicated that the federation lacked a law-abiding spirit. One issue with the judo body was the receipt of funds intended for coaches by some federation directors who did not train athletes.

The committee said former federation technical director and board member Kazuo Yoshimura “must shoulder the heaviest responsibility,” and that Secretary-General Kiyoshi Murakami and federation chief Haruki Uemura were also to blame.

It said Uemura also has to take responsibility for hiring Yoshimura.

The report said 12 of the 27 trainers did not qualify for subsidies during any of the periods, while 15 did for some of them.

It branded a “development reserve fund” collected by the federation from subsidy recipients as “inappropriate.”

Yamauchi said the federation should “take the report seriously and take appropriate action,” adding it is “a last chance” to reform the body.

“Chairman Uemura is highly capable, but I want him to consider whether he has been taking the right measures,” Yamauchi said.

Uemura, who earlier this month vowed to complete his mission to reform the scandal-plagued body, said, “I will double check and analyze the final report and discuss it thoroughly at a board meeting” on Monday.

The independent panel is made up of five members of lawyers and accountants.

********

There's a Japanese saying that goes:

赤信号皆で渡れば怖くない.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/06/25/more-sports/judo-chief-uemura-hints-at-resignation/#.UcjHaNgWNPY

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/06/26/more-sports/calls-for-judo-chief-uemuras-dismissal-come-from-council-members/#.UcpMidjTTV4

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000335918

Is Uemura still Kodokan President?

Emanuele2 wrote:Is Uemura still Kodokan President?

Yes, he doesn't want to leave his position at the Kodokan. Having Yamashita as the new AJJF chairman will change the relationship between the IJF and the Japanese judo federation. I'm really curious to see how Mariusz Viser will react to this news; he doesn't seem very keen to see Yamashita takeover. You have to take in mind that Viser was the main reason why Yamashita was kicked out of the international judo federation.

The_Harvest wrote:

Emanuele2 wrote:Is Uemura still Kodokan President?

Yes, he doesn't want to leave his position at the Kodokan. Having Yamashita as the new AJJF chairman will change the relationship between the IJF and the Japanese judo federation. I'm really curious to see how Mariusz Viser will react to this news; he doesn't seem very keen to see Yamashita takeover. You have to take in mind that Viser was the main reason why Yamashita was kicked out of the international judo federation.

Unfortunately for Viser he reacted strongly against Yamashita for his assumed support of anti-Vizer campaigning and got him removed from his IJF position of educational director and memeber of IJF executive committee.  Yamashita was elected to IJF educational director in 2003 and was removed in Rio de Janeiro on 2007 when he lost 123-61 to Mohamed Meridja of Algeria. So this means that relationships with IJF and Japan will be strained. Note that Uemura was later elected to IJF as sports director so this is more about Vizer versus Yamashita than IJF versus Japan.

The_Harvest wrote:Yes, he doesn't want to leave his position at the Kodokan. Having Yamashita as the new AJJF chairman.

Sorry, but wasn't Tani new AJJF President?

finarashi wrote:

The_Harvest wrote:

Emanuele2 wrote:Is Uemura still Kodokan President?

Yes, he doesn't want to leave his position at the Kodokan. Having Yamashita as the new AJJF chairman will change the relationship between the IJF and the Japanese judo federation. I'm really curious to see how Mariusz Viser will react to this news; he doesn't seem very keen to see Yamashita takeover. You have to take in mind that Viser was the main reason why Yamashita was kicked out of the international judo federation.

Unfortunately for Viser he reacted strongly against Yamashita for his assumed support of anti-Vizer campaigning and got him removed from his IJF position of educational director and memeber of IJF executive committee.  Yamashita was elected to IJF educational director in 2003 and was removed in Rio de Janeiro on 2007 when he lost 123-61 to Mohamed Meridja of Algeria. So this means that relationships with IJF and Japan will be strained. Note that Uemura was later elected to IJF as sports director so this is more about Vizer versus Yamashita than IJF versus Japan.

Apart from that it remains very hard to anticipate whether the proposed change will result in improvements. Like most other jûdôka I too have great sympathy for Yamashita as a one of the most phenomenal contest jûdôka in history, BUT ... this has about zero relevance on someone's anticipated skills and success in a management function. In fact, it is a relevant as choosing a national coach or performance director based on the fact that someone has won an Olympic medal. Many successful competitive jûdôka entering the often nasty world of jûdô politicis have ended up being desillusioned or worse, sometimes without any fault of their own.

Emanuele2 wrote:

The_Harvest wrote:Yes, he doesn't want to leave his position at the Kodokan. Having Yamashita as the new AJJF chairman.

Sorry, but wasn't Tani new AJJF President?

You think that is very realistic in Japanese judo having a woman elected as president ? You got to be kidding, right ? Dream on. Even apart from Japan, how many IJF federations currently have a female president ? With the exception of Kiwi Clare Haregreaves there is virtually no precedent of women fulfilling leading positions in international judo.

Ah ok, so Tani is in the board, but the chairman is Yamashita.

Cichorei Kano wrote:

finarashi wrote:

The_Harvest wrote:

Emanuele2 wrote:Is Uemura still Kodokan President?

Yes, he doesn't want to leave his position at the Kodokan. Having Yamashita as the new AJJF chairman will change the relationship between the IJF and the Japanese judo federation. I'm really curious to see how Mariusz Viser will react to this news; he doesn't seem very keen to see Yamashita takeover. You have to take in mind that Viser was the main reason why Yamashita was kicked out of the international judo federation.

Unfortunately for Viser he reacted strongly against Yamashita for his assumed support of anti-Vizer campaigning and got him removed from his IJF position of educational director and memeber of IJF executive committee.  Yamashita was elected to IJF educational director in 2003 and was removed in Rio de Janeiro on 2007 when he lost 123-61 to Mohamed Meridja of Algeria. So this means that relationships with IJF and Japan will be strained. Note that Uemura was later elected to IJF as sports director so this is more about Vizer versus Yamashita than IJF versus Japan.

Apart from that it remains very hard to anticipate whether the proposed change will result in improvements. Like most other jûdôka I too have great sympathy for Yamashita as a one of the most phenomenal contest jûdôka in history, BUT ... this has about zero relevance on someone's anticipated skills and success in a management function. In fact, it is a relevant as choosing a national coach or performance director based on the fact that someone has won an Olympic medal. Many successful competitive jûdôka entering the often nasty world of jûdô politicis have ended up being desillusioned or worse, sometimes without any fault of their own.

Yamashita is already playing an active part in the reconstruction of the Japanese judo circle. Starting October 2013 the "Yamashita system" (yes' this is the real name) will be put into practice. The aim of this system will be to reform the current AJJF organisation, to eradicate violence and abuse and to bring back the educational part of judo that has been forgotten in Japan. So there is still hope for judo in Japan.

Today a very long TV panel disc on the current issues around AJJF and Japan`s judo, participated by Mr Tamaki, sports journalist, Ms Mizoguchi ex-Olympic silver medalist and national coach for the French Team and Mr Matsubara, Prof at Tokyo Univ. and coach of its judo club.

The program seemed timely as Uemura referred to his resignation in his own words the day before yesterday. Towards the end of the program, AJJF`s improvement plan was discussed but the impression was, it was still vague except for the planned appointments of Tanabe, Kitada and Tani. Tamaki said it would make more sense if they are appointed after the new organization is launched.

In conclusion, they agreed to a list of action plans for the AJJF which are 1)AJJF to be separated from Kodokan (AJJF moving to National Training Center from current Kodokan building), 2)Presidents of Kodokan and AJJF to be different, 3)they should seek more capable officers & staff beyond athletic capabilities to win medals, well-versed in managerial and communication skills, 4)Kodokan should modernize its proper function to enhance educational values of judo and make efforts to bring back judo as it should be.

None of the ideas is easy to accomplish, but they stressed the importance of reshuffling AJJF to create a new vision for younger judoka to come as the current AJJF officers have proven to be unable to cope with the situation during the last 3 months.

There`s a Japanese saying "火中の栗を拾う”（to pick up a chestnut out of the fire). Who would it be? Yamashita?

From Japan Times Editorials

Judo head should resign now

• Jun 29, 2013

Mr. Haruki Uemura, chairman of the All Japan Judo Federation, announced Monday that he will resign around October to take the responsibility for a series of scandals that have hit the judo organization. His refusal to step down immediately is untenable. He should take seriously the call for him to step down sooner, which members of the AJJF’s regional council made the following day.
In January it surfaced that the coach of the All-Japan women’s judo team used violence on female judo players during practice. The coach, Mr. Ryuji Sonoda, resigned Feb. 1.

In a separate incident, a third-party investigation committee at the end of April handed Mr. Uemura a report on the AJJF’s misappropriation of funds from the Japan Sports Council (JSC). The report said the responsibility lay with Mr. Uemura as head of the judo organization.

The Public Interest Corporation Commission of the Cabinet Office, upon receiving a report from the AJJF on its scandals, pointed out that the judo organization lacked sincerity in its handling of the scandals.

Nonetheless, Mr. Uemura decided to stay on his course even as people concerned stressed that a complete change in the AJJF’s executive body is necessary.

Mr. Uemura said that it would be irresponsible of him to throw the AJJF into a state of confusion by stepping down without completing the reforms. He also said that he would like to hand his job to the next generation after making full preparations for them.

Although Mr. Uemura stresses the importance of reforming the AJJF, the scandals did not take place because there was something wrong with its organizational structure. The root cause is the AFFJ’s culture, which embraced the use of violent coaching methods. The AFFJ’s executive body also demonstrated a lack of a law-abiding spirit in the misappropriation scandal. The AFFJ had 27 unqualified judo coaches receive ¥36.2 million in support funds from the JSC and then donate most of the money to the AFFJ.

There are no fundamental defects in the AJJF’s rules, including those governing decision making. Rather, the attitude of the executive body is the problem. It is suspected that the executive body often made decisions without first having the board of directors hold the necessary discussions.

Mr. Uemura should help the executive body possess a law-embracing spirit by resigning immediately. This will enable a new executive body to quickly address the AFFJ’s problems. The appointment of the first three female directors on its board, including two-time Olympic gold medalist Ms. Ryoko Tani, offers a good chance to do so.

Mr. Uemura must pay serious attention to the fact that AFFJ sponsors have stopped donating funds. As long as he stays, judo will continue to suffer from a tainted image, and many children may refrain from joining judo clubs, thus weakening the future prospects of Japanese judo.

Source:  http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2013/06/29/editorials/judo-head-should-resign-now/#.Uc3NoKzgcfM

About 1/3 of the board of the AJJF apparently led by Ryotokuji Kenji, founder of Ryotokuji University in Chiba, wants Chairman Uemura out now, no grace period. There's nothing in English but it is widely spread in the sports papers.

NBK wrote:About 1/3 of the board of the AJJF apparently led by Ryotokuji Kenji, founder of Ryotokuji University in Chiba, wants Chairman Uemura out now, no grace period.  There's nothing in English but it is widely spread in the sports papers.  

There's clearly lots of politics involved too. Not all criticism of Uemura is justified. For example, suggesting that the AJJF has not done anything or not taking things seriously is not true. I have a number of documents (I have not posted them here since obviously they are entirely in Japanese) that demonstrate that they clearly have put a lot of work in changing a number of things. Neither Uemura nor anyone else can reinvent the past. In some cases taking political responsibility by resigning may be the best thing to do, but one could also argue that one first should provide credible evidence that either Uemura was personally responsible or should have reasonable know some things that were occurring. For example, it would be rather absurd to hold Uemura personally responsible if some old geezer who holds function in the AJJF decides to put his arms around some athlete while in the elevator and after having consumed too much sake. Now, if Uemura after the incident decides to appoint the gentleman for life as the AJJF's official elevator boy in charge, that is something else. It may be a responsible thing to do to decide to stay in function to prevent things from needlessly escalating too. These problems need to be solved in rational way and not with the necessary drama. Seeing heads roll may be spectacular entertainment that certain people enjoy, but drama oftentimes is not the best way forward. Similarly, replacing most of the AJJF Board by women might come across as wildly progressive and sympathetic, but little relevant to the problem itself. People should be appointed primarily for their competence and expertise, not for their gender irrespective of whether that gender is male of female. The problem in judo is that federation people typically fear intellect hence they will choose for loyalty and people they can bind to themselves because they know those people have ambition to achieve something to which the federation holds the key. This is a well-known and common recipe for business failure but one that will essentially safeguard the people in charge at the expense of thriving and becoming exemplary in achievement success.

I think Uemura-sensei is a decent and capable man trying to change the deeply embedded culture of a very conservative organisation. This is not an overnight job, it is a lengthy change process.  Such a change process needs a figurehead and stability. The right thing is for Uemura-sensei to stay in post and oversee this change programme. Instead he appears to be being hounded out by those who want a quick scalp and understand nothing

Jonesy wrote:I think Uemura-sensei is a decent and capable man trying to change the deeply embedded culture of a very conservative organisation. This is not an overnight job, it is a lengthy change process.  Such a change process needs a figurehead and stability. The right thing is for Uemura-sensei to stay in post and oversee this change programme. Instead he appears to be being hounded out by those who want a quick scalp and understand nothing

I've met the gent, and while he seems both decent and capable, is there anything available that describes his agenda to change the organization?