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The Rijikai is elected at the beginning of every even numbered year, usually at the end of January or the beginning of February. It is the governing body of the Nihon Sumo Kyokai. The board of directors actually consist only of the Rijicho (chairman), the nine plus three Riji (executive directors, internal and external), the three Kanji (directors, all external) and the three Fukuriji (directors, all internal). The Sodan Yaku and Yakuin Taigu aren't a part, but they are listed as well, as they are senior officers and have vice director equivalent posts.
Oyakata written in italics have passed away, retired or lost their post during the respective election periods.
In September 2008 three external directors have been appointed. The "internal" Kanji have become Fukuriji (new rank) from that day on.
2018-2020 | ||||
Rijicho | Hakkaku (former Hokutoumi) | |||
Riji | Oguruma (former Kotokaze) | |||
Kagamiyama (former Tagaryu) | ||||
Sakaigawa (former Ryogoku) | ||||
Kasugano (former Tochinowaka) | ||||
Dewanoumi (former Oginohana) | ||||
Yamahibiki (former Ganyu) | ||||
Shibatayama (former Onokuni) | ||||
Onomatsu (former Masurao) | retired on 2019 Sep 27 | |||
Takashima (former Koboyama) | ||||
Ext. Riji | Yamaguchi Toshikazu# | |||
Imai Tamaki | ||||
Takano# Toshio | ||||
Ext. Kanji | Okabe ... | |||
Kajiki ... | ||||
Fukui Ryoji# | ||||
Fukuriji | Fujishima (former Musoyama) | |||
Hanakago (former Daijuyama) | ||||
Izutsu (former Sakahoko) | passed away on 2019 Sep 16 | |||
Yakuin Taigu | Takasago/Nishikijima (former Asashio) | |||
Nishonoseki (former Wakashimazu) | ||||
Michinoku (former Kirishima) | ||||
Isegahama (former Asahifuji) | ||||
Yamashina (former Onishiki) | turned 65 on 2018 Sep 11 | |||
Nishikido (former Mitoizumi) | ||||
Takadagawa (former Akinoshima) | ||||
2016-2018 | ||||
Rijicho | Hakkaku (former Hokutoumi) | |||
Riji | Oguruma (former Kotokaze) | |||
Takanohana (Ichidai Toshiyori) | demoted to yakuin taigu on 2017 Dec 28 (Harumafuji scandal) | |||
Kagamiyama (former Tagaryu) | ||||
Isegahama (former Asahifuji) | resigned on 2017 Dec 20 (Harumafuji scandal) | |||
Nishonoseki (former Wakashimazu) | ||||
Sakaigawa (former Ryogoku) | ||||
Kasugano (former Tochinowaka) | ||||
Dewanoumi (former Oginohana) | ||||
Yamahibiki (former Ganyu) | ||||
Ext. Riji | Yamaguchi Toshikazu# | |||
Imai Tamaki | ||||
Takano# Toshio | ||||
Ext. Kanji | Okabe ... | |||
Kamiyama Toshio | ||||
Kajiki ... | appointed on 2016 Jun 13 | |||
Fukuriji | Tamanoi (former Tochiazuma) | |||
Shibatayama (former Onokuni) | ||||
Fujishima (former Musoyama) | ||||
Yakuin Taigu | Takasago (former Asashio) | |||
Tomozuna/Oshima (former Kaiki) | turned 65 on 2017 Jun 12, re-employed as Sanyo | |||
Takanohana (Ichidai Toshiyori) | demoted from riji on 2017 Dec 28 (Harumafuji scandal) demoted to toshiyori on 2018 Mar 29 (Takayoshitoshi scandal) | |||
Michinoku (former Kirishima) | ||||
Isegahama (former Asahifuji) | resigned from riji on 2017 Dec 20 (Harumafuji scandal) | |||
Chiganoura/Tokiwayama (former Masudayama) | turned 65 on 2016 Apr 10, re-employed as Sanyo | |||
Dekiyama (former Dewanohana) | turned 65 on 2016 May 13, re-employed as Sanyo | |||
Yamashina (former Onishiki) | ||||
2014-2016 | ||||
Rijicho | Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | passed away on 2015 Nov 20 | ||
Hakkaku (former Hokutoumi) | appointed on 2015 Dec 18 | |||
Riji | Hakkaku (former Hokutoumi) | appointed acting rijicho on 2015 Nov 21, ascended to rijicho on Dec 18 | ||
Takanohana (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Kagamiyama (former Tagaryu) | ||||
Chiganoura (former Masudayama) | ||||
Oguruma (former Kotokaze) | ||||
Isegahama (former Asahifuji) | ||||
Matsugane/Nishonoseki (former Wakashimazu) | ||||
Tomozuna (former Kaiki) | ||||
Dekiyama (former Dewanohana) | ||||
Ext. Riji | Ebisawa Katsuji | |||
Tokugawa Yasuhisa | ||||
Munakata Norio | ||||
Ext. Kanji | Okabe ... | |||
Kamiyama Toshio | ||||
Fukuriji | Tamanoi (former Tochiazuma) | |||
Shibatayama (former Onokuni) | ||||
Izutsu (former Sakahoko) | ||||
Yakuin Taigu | Takasago (former Asashio) | |||
Tateyama (former Tamanofuji) | turned 65 on 2014 Nov 24, re-employed as Sanyo | |||
Michinoku (former Kirishima) | ||||
Yamashina (former Onishiki) | ||||
Asahiyama (former Daiju) | turned 65 on 2015 Mar 19 | |||
Fujishima (former Musoyama) | appointed on 2015 Jan 31 | |||
2012-2014 | ||||
Rijicho | Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | |||
Riji | Kokonoe (former Chiyonofuji) | |||
Dewanoumi/Takasaki (former Washuyama) | ||||
Takanohana (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Kagamiyama (former Tagaryu) | ||||
Tateyama (former Tamanofuji) | ||||
Hakkaku (former Hokutoumi) | ||||
Chiganoura (former Masudayama) | ||||
Oguruma (former Kotokaze) | ||||
Kasugayama/Ikazuchi (former Kasugafuji) | retired on 2012 Sep 20 | |||
Isegahama (former Asahifuji) | appointed on 2013 Jan 31 | |||
Ext. Riji | Ebisawa Katsuji | |||
Munakata Norio | ||||
Ext. Kanji | Terasawa Noritada | retired on 2012 Jul 24 | ||
Okabe ... | ||||
Kamiyama Toshio | appointed on 2012 Feb 22 | |||
Fukuriji | Oyama (former Daihi) | |||
Tamanoi (former Tochiazuma) | ||||
Matsugane (former Wakashimazu) | ||||
Sodan Yaku | Musashigawa (former Mienoumi) | turned 65 on 2013 Feb 04 | ||
Hanaregoma (former Kaiketsu) | turned 65 on 2013 Feb 16 | |||
Yakuin Taigu | Nishonoseki (former Kongo) | retired on 2013 Jun 20 | ||
Mihogaseki (former Masuiyama) | turned 65 on 2013 Nov 16 | |||
Yamashina (former Onishiki) | ||||
Asahiyama (former Daiju) | ||||
2010-2012 | ||||
Rijicho | Musashigawa (former Mienoumi) | stepped back on 2010 Aug 11 | ||
Hanaregoma (former Kaiketsu) | ||||
Riji | Dewanoumi (former Washuyama) | |||
Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | demoted to Yakuin on 2011 Apr 06 (yaocho scandal) | |||
Hanaregoma (former Kaiketsu) | ascended to rijicho during election period | |||
Musashigawa (former Mienoumi) | ||||
Tomozuna (former Kaiki) | ||||
Kokonoe (former Chiyonofuji) | demoted to Yakuin on 2011 Apr 06 (yaocho scandal) | |||
Nishonoseki (former Kongo) | ||||
Takanohana (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Kagamiyama (former Tagaryu) | ||||
Michinoku (former Kirishima) | demoted to Iin on 2011 Apr 06 (yaocho scandal) | |||
Ext. Riji | Murayama Hiroyoshi | |||
Ito Shigeru | ||||
Ext. Kanji | Yoshino Jun | |||
Terasawa Noritada | appointed 2010 Aug 12 as external director | |||
Fukuriji | Mihogaseki (former Masuiyama) | |||
Shiranui (former Aobajo) | ||||
Nakamura (former Fujizakura) | ||||
Yakuin Taigu | Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | demoted from Riji | ||
Sendagawa (former Maenoyama) | turned 65 on 2010 Mar 09 | |||
Oshima (former Asahikuni) | demoted to Iin on 2011 Apr 06 (yaocho scandal) | |||
Isenoumi (former Fujinogawa) | turned 65 on 2011 Sep 26 | |||
Kokonoe (former Chiyonofuji) | demoted from Riji | |||
Hakkaku (former Hokutoumi) | demoted to Iin on 2011 Apr 06 (yaocho scandal) | |||
Yamashina (former Onishiki) | ||||
2008-2010 | ||||
Rijicho | Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | stepped back on 2008 Sep 08 | ||
Musashigawa (former Mienoumi) | ||||
Riji | Musashigawa (former Mienoumi) | ascended to rijicho during election period | ||
Isenoumi (former Fujinogawa) | ||||
Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Oshima (former Asahikuni) | ||||
Magaki (former Wakanohana) | lost post (deshi found guilty of drug use) on 2008 Aug 21 | |||
Dewanoumi (former Washuyama) | ||||
Hanaregoma (former Kaiketsu) | ||||
Tomozuna (former Kaiki) | ||||
Kokonoe (former Chiyonofuji) | ||||
Nishonoseki (former Kongo) | ||||
Ext. Riji | Murayama Hiroyoshi | appointed 2008 Sep 30 as external director | ||
Ito Shigeru | appointed 2008 Sep 30 as external director | |||
Ext. Kanji | Yoshino Jun | appointed 2008 Sep 30 as external director | ||
Kanji/Fukuriji | Mihogaseki (former Masuiyama) | |||
Minato (former Yutakayama) | ||||
Shiranui (former Aobajo) | ||||
Yakuin Taigu | Takadagawa/Sendagawa (former Maenoyama) | |||
Takasago (former Asashio) | ||||
Hidenoyama (former Hasegawa) | turned 65 on 2009 Jul 20 | |||
Tamanoi (former Tochiazuma) | turned 65 on 2009 Sep 03 | |||
Takanohana (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Magaki (former Wakanohana) | repromoted to Yakuin on 2009 Feb 02 | |||
2006-2008 | ||||
Rijicho | Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | |||
Riji | Oshima (former Asahikuni) | |||
Magaki (former Wakanohana) | ||||
Takasago (former Asashio) | ||||
Musashigawa (former Mienoumi) | ||||
Isenoumi (former Fujinogawa) | ||||
Dewanoumi (former Washuyama) | ||||
Hidenoyama (former Hasegawa) | ||||
Hanaregoma (former Kaiketsu) | ||||
Tomozuna (former Kaiki) | ||||
Kanji | Mihogaseki (former Masuiyama) | |||
Minato (former Yutakayama) | ||||
Shiranui (former Aobajo) | ||||
Yakuin Taigu | Takadagawa (former Maenoyama) | |||
Wakafuji/Isegahama/Wakafuji (former Katsuhikari) | turned 65 on 2007 Aug 09 | |||
Oshiogawa (former Daikirin) | retired on 2006 Jun 20 | |||
Kokonoe (former Chiyonofuji) | ||||
Isegahama/Wakafuji (former Kiyokuni) | turned 65 on 2006 Nov 20 | |||
Tamanoi (former Tochiazuma) | nominated during election period on 2007 Jan 29 | |||
2004-2006 | ||||
Rijicho | Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | |||
Riji | Futagoyama (former Takanohana) | passed away on 2005 May 30 | ||
Oshima (former Asahikuni) | ||||
Magaki (former Wakanohana) | ||||
Wakafuji (former Katsuhikari) | ||||
Takasago (former Asashio) | ||||
Musashigawa (former Mienoumi) | ||||
Isenoumi (former Fujinogawa) | ||||
Dewanoumi (former Washuyama) | ||||
Oshiogawa (former Daikirin) | ||||
Kanji | Mihogaseki (former Masuiyama) | |||
Hidenoyama (former Hasegawa) | ||||
Minato (former Yutakayama) | ||||
Yakuin Taigu | Isegahama (former Kiyokuni) | lost post after yellow press interview | ||
Taiho (Ichidai Toshiyori) | turned 65 on 2005 May 29 | |||
Sadogatake (former Kotozakura) | turned 65 on 2005 Nov 26 | |||
Takadagawa (former Maenoyama) | ||||
Hanaregoma (former Kaiketsu) | ||||
Kokonoe (former Chiyonofuji) | ||||
Sekinoto (former Fukunohana) | turned 65 on 2005 Jul 01 | |||
2002-2004 | ||||
Rijicho | Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | |||
Riji | Sadogatake (former Kotozakura) | |||
Futagoyama (former Takanohana) | ||||
Oshima (former Asahikuni) | ||||
Magaki (former Wakanohana) | ||||
Wakafuji (former Katsuhikari) | ||||
Takasago (former Asashio) | ||||
Musashigawa (former Mienoumi) | ||||
Isenoumi (former Fujinogawa) | ||||
Dewanoumi (former Washuyama) | ||||
Sodan Yaku | Sakaigawa/Nakadachi (former Sadanoyama) | turned 65 on 2003 Feb 18 | ||
Tokitsukaze/Nishikijima (former Yutakayama) | turned 65 on 2002 Aug 18 | |||
Kanji | Tokiwayama (former Wakachichibu) | |||
Hakkaku (former Hokutoumi) | ||||
Mihogaseki (former Masuiyama) | ||||
Yakuin Taigu | Isegahama (former Kiyokuni) | |||
Taiho (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Kasugano/Takenawa (former Tochinoumi) | turned 65 on 2003 Mar 13 | |||
Wakamatsu (former Fujinishiki) | turned 65 on 2002 Mar 18 | |||
Takadagawa (former Maenoyama) | ||||
Hanaregoma (former Kaiketsu) | ||||
Kokonoe (former Chiyonofuji) | ||||
Sekinoto (former Fukunohana) | ||||
2000-2002 | ||||
Rijicho | Tokitsukaze (former Yutakayama) | |||
Riji | Sakaigawa (former Sadanoyama) | |||
Sadogatake (former Kotozakura) | ||||
Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Futagoyama (former Takanohana) | ||||
Takadagawa (former Maenoyama) | ||||
Oshima (former Asahikuni) | ||||
Magaki (former Wakanohana) | ||||
Wakafuji (former Katsuhikari) | ||||
Wakamatsu/Takasago (former Asashio) | ||||
Kanji | Musashigawa (former Mienoumi) | |||
Tokiwayama (former Wakachichibu) | ||||
Hakkaku (former Hokutoumi) | ||||
Yakuin Taigu | Isegahama (former Kiyokuni) | |||
Taiho (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Kasugano (former Tochinoumi) | ||||
Takasago/Wakamatsu (former Fujinishiki) | ||||
Edagawa (former Kitabayama) | turned 65 on 2000 May 17 | |||
Kise (former Kiyosegawa) | turned 65 on 2000 Apr 08 | |||
Hanaregoma (former Kaiketsu) | ||||
Kokonoe (former Chiyonofuji) | ||||
Sekinoto (former Fukunohana) | ||||
1998-2000 | ||||
Rijicho | Tokitsukaze (former Yutakayama) | |||
Riji | Sakaigawa (former Sadanoyama) | |||
Takasago (former Fujinishiki) | ||||
Sadogatake (former Kotozakura) | ||||
Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Futagoyama (former Takanohana) | ||||
Kise (former Kiyosegawa) | ||||
Takadagawa (former Maenoyama) | ||||
Oshima (former Asahikuni) | ||||
Magaki (former Wakanohana) | ||||
Kanji | Musashigawa (former Mienoumi) | |||
Tokiwayama (former Wakachichibu) | ||||
Takekuma (former Kurohimeyama) | ||||
Yakuin Taigu | Tatsunami (former Haguroyama) | turned 65 on 1999 Feb 22 | ||
Isegahama (former Kiyokuni) | ||||
Taiho (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Kasugano (former Tochinoumi) | ||||
Edagawa (former Kitabayama) | ||||
Hanaregoma (former Kaiketsu) | ||||
Kokonoe (former Chiyonofuji) | ||||
1996-1998 | ||||
Rijicho | Sakaigawa (former Sadanoyama) | |||
Riji | Tatsunami (former Haguroyama) | |||
Tokitsukaze (former Yutakayama) | ||||
Jinmaku (former Kitanofuji) | left after Takadagawa's rebellion in 1998 | |||
Takasago (former Fujinishiki) | ||||
Sadogatake (former Kotozakura) | ||||
Edagawa (former Kitabayama) | ||||
Kitanoumi (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Futagoyama (former Takanohana) | ||||
Kise (former Kiyosegawa) | ||||
Kanji | Magaki (former Wakanohana) | |||
Musashigawa (former Mienoumi) | ||||
Oshiogawa (former Daikirin) | ||||
Yakuin Taigu | Isegahama (former Kiyokuni) | |||
Taiho (Ichidai Toshiyori) | ||||
Kagamiyama (former Kashiwado) | passed away on 1996 Dec 12 | |||
Kasugano (former Tochinoumi) | ||||
Hanaregoma (former Kaiketsu) | ||||
Kokonoe (former Chiyonofuji) | ||||