People Easily Become Prey to Power: Mechanisms and Countermeasures for Sport Harassment Among Martial Arts Instructors

Akiko Fujii, Psychotherapist, Japan Air Self-Defense Force

Akiko Fujii, clinical psychologist, certified psychologist, and PhD in Education, has worked in city welfare and as an emergency dispatch counselor in Fukushima Prefecture before her current position. In addition to counseling, she is dedicated to resilience education and harassment prevention training.

The Unique Aspect of Martial Arts

One distinguishing element of traditional Japanese martial arts, such as Kendo, seems to be their focus on the state of the mind beyond mere winning or losing. Yamaoka Tesshu, one of the three great swordsmen of the Bakumatsu period, wrote that swordsmanship is not merely about technique but "aspires to the ultimate understanding of its psychology." However, when immersed in such spiritual training, people tend to seek the presence of metaphysical authority. Therefore, martial arts instructors need to be aware of the "authority" or "power" they wield and be more conscious of the recently highlighted issue of "sports harassment."

Sports Harassment and the Current Situation

Sports harassment, or "Spo-Hara," is defined as "actions or behaviors that cause mental or physical distress or worsen the sporting environment for those engaging in sports activities within the same organization, based on the superiority of job position or relationships within the organization." Since the suicide of the captain of the Sakuranomiya High School basketball team in 2012 and the subsequent whistleblowing of harassment by the coaches of the All Japan Judo Federation's women's team, the momentum to eradicate harassment has risen across not just the sports world but society at large, yet the problem persists. A 2015 online survey of 255 sports instructors showed a decline in physical punishment but revealed that one-third still engaged in "non-verbal attacks" such as sighing or clicking their tongues, "verbal attacks" like shouting, and "relational attacks" such as favoritism. Another study showed that team sports instructors and those at higher levels are more likely to engage in harassment than individual sports instructors. These acts of harassment by instructors can affirm relational aggression, leading to bullying within the team and ultimately affecting athletes' neurotic symptoms.

The Structure of the Sports World

In sports activities, there is a hierarchy between the instructor and the athlete, and power is artificially and limitedly granted to the instructor to achieve the goals of the activities. Under this authority and power, athletes hone their skills and enhance their self-efficacy by being recognized by their instructors. However, the current educational system introduces larger powers and authorities, such as sports recommendation systems, which can significantly affect an athlete's career and make absolute obedience more likely. In addition, the closed relationships formed in school club activities and historical dojos can inadvertently elevate respected instructors to cult-like statuses, even without their intention.

The Psychology of Power Holders

We need to understand the inherent "psychology of power holders." The concept of a "sense of social power" suggests that individuals with high social power feel they have the ability to influence others and tend to lose empathy and compassion, seeing themselves as exceptional and often engaging in self-centered and overly optimistic behaviors. Additionally, those with high social power are prone to the "power-attractiveness" illusion, mistakenly believing that others have favorable feelings towards them, which can lead to "well-intentioned harassers." Interestingly, surveys have shown that male athletes are more likely to tolerate physical violence than females, who are more likely to engage in personal services for their instructors and are more accepting of these behaviors.

Handling the Double-Edged Sword

Thus, while the authority of instructors can enhance the motivation and self-efficacy of athletes, it can also easily exploit their rights. It is crucial to handle this authority carefully. Legal frameworks can help prevent the abuse of power, as seen with the statutes of the Kyoto University and Tokyo University American football teams, which clearly define the rights and responsibilities between instructors, organizations, and athletes. Additionally, incorporating external specialists, such as school counselors and sports doctors, can help break the closeness and enhance governance transparency and strength.

Conclusion

Finally, I share a personal anecdote. I joined the Tokyo University Kendo Club as a beginner and, embarrassingly, quit in my second year. When I resigned, I wrote an apology letter to the then-master of the Kendo club, Hiroshi Onuma (later a ninth-degree black belt and chief instructor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Kendo team). Despite being a towering figure, Mr. Onuma kindly sent me several warm letters, which felt like shielding a flickering flame of my self-esteem from being extinguished. I extend my deepest respect and gratitude to Mr. Onuma's profound and warm swordsmanship, allowing me this platform.