Faced with large deficits at the time, JNR was receptive to the idea of selling the property, aided by its belief that if the new Kokugikan was built next to the station, the number of passengers served would increase. As the land in Kuramae was selected as a candidate site for the construction of a sewage treatment plant in Tokyo, the association acquired the means to purchase the land located in Ryōgoku. The move to Ryōgoku was decided in 1980, and in March 1982, a land purchase contract was concluded between JNR and the Sumo Association.
Facing substantial financial losses, JNR was open to selling the property, believing that constructing a new Kokugikan near the station would increase passenger numbers. As land in Kuramae was chosen as a site for a sewage treatment plant in Tokyo, JNR acquired the means to purchase land in Ryōgoku. The decision to move to Ryōgoku was made in 1980, and a land purchase agreement between JNR and the Sumo Association was finalized in March 1982.