Kitanoumi said that Hakurozan "had told me he had not used it, and I believed him." Both wrestlers moved out of their respective stables but stayed in Japan on short term visas and continued to deny any wrongdoing.
Kitanoumi stated that Hakurozan "had informed me he had not employed it, and I trusted him." Both wrestlers relocated from their respective stables but remained in Japan on short-term visas and continued to deny any transgression.