Japan Sumo Association raises tournament prize money and wrestler salaries for first time in decades
The Japan Sumo Association announced that prize payouts for top-division champions will double and monthly salaries for yokozuna and ozeki will increase, the first such hikes since the 1990s.
The Japan Sumo Association voted to increase financial rewards for its athletes, marking the first adjustment to prize money since 1994 and the first salary raise in eight years. Winners of the elite makuuchi division at the New Year tournament will now collect 20 million yen, while lower-division champions will also see higher payouts. The monthly stipend for a yokozuna will rise from 3 million to 3.3 million yen, and an ozeki’s salary will go from 2.5 million to 2.75 million yen, with the second-tier juryo division moving to 1.2 million yen.
Special sansho prizes will be upgraded to 3 million yen each. Ticket costs for matches at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena and the Spring tournament in Osaka will be increased for both box and chair seats.
Why it matters
Higher earnings aim to improve the livelihood of sumo wrestlers and reflect the sport's growing commercial value.
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