Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi skips sumo ring, cites respect for tradition

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not appear in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament ring in Tokyo to present a trophy, instead sending the education minister to deliver the certificate and the prime minister’s cup; officials said she wanted to respect sumo’s "traditional culture." Takaichi, the first woman to serve as Japan’s prime minister, has taken a cautious approach to gender issues since her October election, rarely marking its historical significance and emphasizing traditional values.

Critics note that she appointed two women to an 18-member cabinet despite promising to bring "Nordic levels" of gender equality, while supporters and some commentators describe her stance as a conservative form of feminism focused on working within existing structures. The decision highlighted longstanding restrictions: professional sumo rings have long barred women, a practice tied in the Shinto faith to beliefs about impurity related to menstruation, and the Japan Sumo Association said it was "committed to the success of the traditional culture of Grand Sumo." Fans and some local officials expressed disappointment that the prime minister did not present the trophy, and critics warned the tradition is unlikely to change so long as she remains in office.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the government was considering the prime minister’s intention to value traditional culture as it decided how to handle the ceremony.

Key Topics

Culture, Sanae Takaichi, Grand Sumo Tournament, Japan Sumo Association, Shinto Faith, Tokyo