NHK to resume live broadcasts of sumo

TOKYO

Japan's public TV broadcaster is to resume live sumo broadcasts, after canceling coverage of July's Nagoya tournament over a betting scandal that hit the country's ancient sport.

NHK officials said Thursday the station will televise the Sept. 12-26 Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament as usual.

NHK did not air live broadcasts of the Nagoya tournament, saying that the betting scandal generated viewer disgust. It was the first time since 1953 that live broadcasts weren't shown on NHK.

"As the Japan Sumo Association has taken steps to reform itself the viewers will have an understanding of this," NHK chairman Shigeo Fukuchi said at a press conference. "We know there are many viewers who enjoy the broadcasts."

The gambling scandal involved dozens of sumo's top wrestlers and coaches who allegedly wagered as much as $50,000 on baseball games with gangsters acting as go-betweens.

On Monday, the JSA pledged to step up efforts to keep organized crime out of the ancient sport by banning any people with gangster links from attending events.