Reform-minded former grand champion Takanohana was elected to the 10-man Japan Sumo Association board on Monday. Takanohana was among 11 candidates running in the governing body’s first board election in eight years, held because of his surprise departure from the Nishonoseki faction. The soft-spoken 37-year-old drew 10 votes. Oshima lost his seat after receiving eight votes.
   
"I’m honored to have received votes from nine stablemasters. I’d like to take responsible action", said Takanohana, who cast a ballot for himself to make it 10. "Today is my start. I’d like to listen to young stablemasters as much as possible and take their opinions to board meetings".
   
A total of 111 JSA members cast secret single ballots in the election. Musashigawa was re-elected as JSA chairman by the new board shortly after the vote.
   
Nishonoseki, one of five groups comprised of various stables, initially planned to send three candidates, all older than Takanohana, to the board and expected a total of 10 candidates, including those from other factions, for 10 board positions. Takanohana then parted ways with Nishonoseki to announce his candidacy in an apparent move to avoid internal conflict.
   
The turmoil intensified when six other Nishonoseki stablemasters left the group in support of Takanohana’s bid to reform sumo, which has been rocked by numerous scandals in recent years.
   
The new board immediately faces one big issue: Asashoryu’s alleged drunken rampage in mid-January.