To all the fans, and to whom it may concern,
Regarding the recent reports that have
been circulating in the media involving
myself and the Kansai University Ice
Skating team, please allow me to explain
further in detail.
First and foremost, the reason why I resigned
as the coach of the team was not because
I was swamped with work.
During my discussions with the Kansai
University team, I never mentioned a
word about not being able to make time
for coaching.
The truth is, I had been suffering with
harassment, specifically, moral
harassment in the skating rink.
This affected my health as well as not
being able to show up on the rink for
three months.During this time, I also
couldn’t get any sincere response from
the University side.
This July, I had a conversation with the
University including a lawyer.
“We will conduct an investigation
and give us a report” - this is what I was
told by them, however it has been two
months without anything now.
During these 2 months, I knew that my
students were waiting to be instructed.
I asked only for a good atmosphere so
that I could get back on the rink, but this
was also not accepted.
Somewhere inside myself I knew that
“nothing would change” and though I am
not convinced, I decided to leave my position
as a coach.
There were times when my health problems
affected my other work and it was difficult for
me to continue coaching.
The latest article says that Kansai University
asked me to continue as coach of the team
but this statement is also a false rumor.
When I handed in my resignation,
the University approved.
During my career, they built a skating
rink and took really good care of me.
I wanted to show my appreciation and
respect and requested if I could speak
with the school president with my
words directly.
However I was refused a meeting with
the president as … “he is busy with no free
time for the next month”.
I wanted to end this controversy in a
positive way even though I knew it wouldn’t
be close to what I had expected.
Unfortunately I couldn’t receive any good
feed back and as the article says, the
reason I left my position as a coach was
because “I was busy”.
As an instructor, a coach, I still wanted
to continue forward and achieve my
dream on the rink.
I just couldn’t cope with this situation
and it was difficult for me to understand.
I wasn’t planning on formally announcing
to the public but this pain past bearing
has just gone too far.
Because I’ve always enjoyed teaching
skating, I want to apologize for leaving
this duty undone.
Perhaps if I was much stronger mentally,
this wouldn’t have happened.
There were times, when it was difficult
for me to smile in front of people, but with
the support from my family I was able to
overcome my unstableness.
For 13 years, Kansai University Takatsuki
Ice Arena, has been a part of me and to
leave this place was a big decision to make.
As I mentioned before, as an instructor,
my dreams are still the same. I haven’t
given up yet.
If there are any offers for me to teach,
I am willing to go anywhere.