Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is weighing whether to defy centuries of sumo tradition by entering the ring to present a trophy later this month. Women are banned from stepping onto the sacred dohyo due to Shinto beliefs about impurity linked to menstruation.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that Takaichi wishes to respect sumo tradition and culture, and no decision has been made yet. This cautious approach suggests she may avoid reigniting controversy over the ban, which has persisted for decades.
The issue dates back to 1990 when Mayumi Moriyama, Japan’s first female chief cabinet secretary, was denied the right to present the prime minister’s trophy. In 2018, an incident in Maizuru saw female spectators rush to aid a collapsed mayor on the dohyo, prompting a referee to order them off. The sumo association later apologised for the referee’s actions.
In 2019, a panel was formed to review the ban but has yet to reach a conclusion. While some prime ministers have presented trophies themselves, others have delegated the task. Takaichi’s decision carries symbolic weight for women’s rights and her political standing.
