this post was submitted on 12 Nov 2025
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Japan’s new PM faces sumo-sized dilemma: will Takaichi defy the sport’s ban on women? (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 2 days ago by Wren@lemmy.today to c/Independent_Media@lemmy.today
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Anticipation is building among sumo fans in Japan as they wait to discover if the country’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, will defy centuries of tradition and step into the sumo ring to present a trophy later this month.

With 11 days of the current 15-day tournament in Fukuoka, south-west Japan, remaining, government officials have left the sport’s devotees guessing with vague comments over the likelihood of clash between Takaichi and the Japan sumo association.

Women are banned from entering, or even touching, the “sacred” dohyo, or arena, due to a belief found in Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion, that they are “impure” because of menstrual blood.

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[–] Cort@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

She's old enough to be in menopause, does that make a difference?

[–] pinball_wizard@lemmy.zip -1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

What an absolutely stupid tradition to waste any energy on.

I once said something positive about sumo wrestling, in front of a woman. I guess I might have to seek her out an clarify that I'm not a sexist idiot - depending how this goes. (Edit: I am joking about this. I am not going to bother anyone with an apology for liking watching grown men throw each-other out of a circle.)

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Why is it stupid?

[–] pinball_wizard@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

"impure because of menstrual blood"

Is stupid.

I can accept that it is part of their culture, tradition and heritage.

While they can accept that they look like idiots if they give it any credence in public in 2025.

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Sounded like your were insulting sumo as a whole, not just that rule

[–] pinball_wizard@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh. Sorry. I appreciate the check on that.

I think Sumo is cool, including (much of) the heritage.

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Fair enough, I agree about the rule for sure

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Women would waste a lot of energy if we held a grudge every time a person complimented something tangentially patriarchal.

[–] pinball_wizard@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yeah, that part of my comment was meant as a joke. I could have clarified that. I'm not really going to bother anyone about it.

But I can stop giving sumo any attention.

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 1 points 1 day ago

Then... don't? I think sumo is great. This tradition sucks. Being aware of things that suck is the first step to making them not suck.