Asashoryu in hot water

Here is Asashoryu back on January 6 of this year, when he was only somewhat controversial.

Asashoryu allegedly beats up guy, police want answers

On the night of January 16, Mongolian yokozuna sumo wrestling grand champion Asashoryu allegedly got into an argument with an acquaintance and then later pummeled him in the face. Although the victim suffered a broken nose, he has not officially filed charges against Asashoryu.

The Tokyo police, however, may still want to question Asashoryu about the incident -- despite the protests of the Japan Sumo Association. Asashoryu's stablemaster says that the wrestler was so drunk he does not remember the fight.

The 'drunken' defense may not ultimately work, as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation notes the damning "Shukan Shincho" report that Asashoryu told his driver to take the two men to a river so he could "kill" the victim. Things look so bleak for the wrestler that TV reports are now speculating whether Asashoryu will be banned for life.

In other news

Idol group a crime magnet?: A man in Tochigi was re-arrested for allegedly committing robberies in order to fund his obsession with the girls of AKB48. This comes on the heels of last year's arrest of another man who was stealing an AKB48 idol's mail.

ANA to stop drink service on domestic flights: Say sayonara to the days of free Coca-Colas and orange juices on flights between Tokyo and Osaka. ANA will now only serve water for free and charge for everything else. This is also a good time to pose the question: What will happen to JAL's proprietary soft drink Sky Time during the bankruptcy?

Thousands protest U.S. base at Futenma: 6,000 congregated on Saturday in Tokyo to protest the Marine Corps Air Station in Futenma relocating to another part of Okinawa. We assume the least favorite drink of the protesters was Fanta U.S.A. HIPHOP Fruit Punch.