The Yokozuna Deliberation Council's soken (special training session) was held on the 1st at the Ryogoku Kokugikan and was open to the public. Yokozuna Houshouryuu faced Ozekis Kotozakura, Aonishiki, and Kirishima, winning 9 out of 17 bouts. When asked by reporters about his wins and losses, he expressed his frustration, saying, "I thought I had done 20 bouts. I lost quite a few." However, he added, "My condition isn't bad, and I'm having good keiko sessions. I want to prepare by checking my physical condition and going for degeiko." Many fans gathered from early in the morning, and he spoke of his awareness as a Yokozuna, saying, "It only happens once a year. It would be disrespectful to the fans if we didn't show them that we are all doing sumo properly." Regarding his first yusho as a Yokozuna, he said, "I shouldn't think about it too much. I want to face each bout seriously and make it a good May tournament." [Ryotaro Yamada]
Kotozakura had 3 wins and 7 losses, Aonishiki had 3 wins and 6 losses, and Kirishima had 10 wins and 4 losses. Yokozuna Oonosato did not participate in sumo bouts, only working up a sweat with leg exercises. Komusubi Takayasu was absent.
Chairman Hakkaku Oyakata criticized the keiko of the Makuuchi rikishi. When asked for his impressions of the training session, Chairman Hakkaku, who watched the training, pointed out, "There is a lack of intensity. I suppose it can't be helped for the Makuuchi rikishi, but it was evident that they were not giving it their all. They did well in butsugari, but it's no good if they don't have the desire to go for it themselves. They are just being forced to do it. I'm starting to get worried. Is this what top-division training is like? There is no intensity." Towards the end of the session, some bouts were held between Yokozuna Houshouryuu and Ozekis Kotozakura, Aonishiki, and Kirishima. However, Yokozuna Oonosato, who is suffering from a left shoulder injury, did not mount the dohyo and only did leg exercises to warm up. Chairman Hakkaku said, "I couldn't get any impression of how he is doing. In the end, he did not enter.." Regarding Houshouryuu: "He wins and loses, and takes breaks. Once a Yokozuna steps onto the dohyo, he can't step back. He needs to be more self-aware." While acknowledging that the rikishi are working hard, Chairman Hakkaku said, "I have to be strict with them, because there is no one else to do it.." he said, looking worried.
