Japan’s First Female PM Faces Historic Sumo Dilemma
There’s a unique moment unfolding in Japan right now, one that has sumo fans and political watchers alike holding their breath. Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, is facing a dilemma that’s as much about culture as it is about politics: will she step into the sacred sumo ring to present the Prime Minister’s Cup at the closing ceremony of the ongoing Kyushu tournament in Fukuoka later this month?
The tension comes from a centuries-old tradition. In professional sumo, women are strictly banned from entering the dohyo, the circular ring where wrestlers compete. This rule is deeply rooted in Shinto beliefs, which consider women “impure” due to menstrual blood. Over the years, this restriction has sparked controversy, but it has remained firmly in place, even as Japan has modernized in countless other ways.
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With just a few days remaining in the 15-day tournament, officials have kept everyone guessing. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara was asked whether Takaichi would personally present the trophy to the top-division champion, but he offered only a cautious statement. He emphasized that the prime minister wishes to respect sumo tradition and culture, and that the government has not yet made a decision. Essentially, the world is waiting to see whether Takaichi will attempt to challenge this long-standing rule or defer to tradition.
This is not the first time such a clash has been contemplated. Back in 1990, Mayumi Moriyama, Japan’s first female chief cabinet secretary, wanted to present the Prime Minister’s Cup, but she was blocked by the sumo association. Similarly, a decade later, Osaka’s governor Fuse Ohta was forced to hand the trophy from outside the ring after repeated requests to step onto the dohyo were denied. More recently, in 2018, female nurses had to enter the ring to administer first aid to a collapsing mayor during an exhibition tournament, prompting the association to perform ritual purification afterward. These incidents have kept the debate alive, but the official stance has never shifted.
For Takaichi, the decision carries both symbolic and political weight. If she steps into the ring, it would be seen as a historic victory for gender equality in Japan and a bold statement from a leader determined to carve her own path. On the other hand, avoiding the ring would align with her social conservative stance and maintain harmony with traditionalists within the sport.
Sumo itself is enjoying a renaissance. After scandals surrounding bullying and misconduct in stables, the sport has seen a resurgence of popularity, with tickets selling out for tournaments and fans celebrating homegrown champions like Onosato. Against this backdrop, Takaichi’s choice could send ripples through both the sumo world and Japan’s broader conversation on gender roles.
As the tournament nears its finale, everyone is waiting to see whether Japan’s first female prime minister will take the historic step into the dohyo or leave the arena to tradition, symbolically highlighting the intersection of centuries-old culture and a changing society.
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