Japan judo scrutinised for abuse ahead of Olympics

Judo, Japan's very own art of self-defense and an Olympic sport for more than half a century, is certain to be a highlight at next year's Tokyo Games.

But it's also drawing heightened scrutiny over widespread allegations of violence, injuries and abuse.

Yasuhiro Yamashita, a member of the International Olympic Committee and head of the All Japan Judo Federation, acknowledged the problems were serious, with injuries happening during punishment in training.

The judo organization has been focused on a fix for several years, setting up a system where complaints can be levied, but more needs to be done and time is needed, he said.

"I feel it is sad judo is being perceived as extremely dangerous, and Japan's judo world must take this seriously," Yamashita said at the Japan Olympic Committee office in Tokyo earlier this week.

Yamashita is a judo legend himself, overcoming a leg injury to win the gold in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, limping to the awards-ceremony podium.

He stressed judo's appeal came from building one's body and character.

"You share the joy with your team, you respect your opponent, you learn self-control. You can learn so much, not just winning or losing," said Yamashita, who became head of the JOC after his predecessor resigned over a bribery scandal.

Judo, designed to elegantly use the force of the opponent for throws and pins, means "gentle way."

But critics say the way it's playing out in Japan has been anything but.

Tomoo Hamana, three-time World Judo Kata Champion and an instructor of Hamana Dojo in Kanagawa prefecture, believe that pushing a kind of judo that is to stick to fundamentals, gentle, fun and inclusive, for old people and children is important for judo.

"As Master Jigoro Kano said, the techniques of judo, I think, aren't something that results to injury, no way there will be injury, but that comes with learning the basics of judo thoroughly," Hamana said. "But probably there may be instructors who are skipping such basics."

Keiko Kobayashi, a representative of the judo victims' association, stresses safe judo is possible, noting that not a single child has been reported to have died from judo in the last 20 years in the U.S., France, Australia and the U.K.

Kobayashi's son suffered a brain hemorrhage 16 years ago, after his junior high school teacher penalized him with judo choke holds and throws, leaving him seriously injured.

The reason: he had refused to go to a sports-oriented high school the teacher had recommended.

In a pattern that critics say gets repeated over and over, the teacher's actions were ruled an unfortunate accident.

Kobayashi stressed she is not opposed to judo, just the violence in judo.

"As long as the children are protected and they can do judo safely, I will not negate judo itself because my son loved judo," she said.

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