The debate concerning foreigners having the dignity to be a "yokozuna" was finally laid to rest on 27 January 1993, when Hawaiian-born "ōzeki" Akebono was formally promoted to "yokozuna" after only eight months as an "ōzeki". Since then, the issue of whether foreigners have the necessary dignity has become a moot point as five of the eight wrestlers to achieve sumo's ultimate rank following Akebono in 1993 were not born in Japan: Musashimaru (United States), Asashōryū (Mongolia), Hakuhō (Mongolia), Harumafuji (Mongolia), and Kakuryū (Mongolia).