Japan’s first female leader addresses sumo’s women ban

Takaichi Sanae has made history as Japan’s first female prime minister, but faces challenges rooted in traditional sumo practices that deem women impure. While she may avoid presenting trophies at the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament due to these restrictions, experts suggest she might send a male official instead to avoid controversy. The Japan Sumo Association maintains that it prioritizes traditional customs, which have historically excluded women from the ring. This situation highlights ongoing gender equality issues in Japan, ranked 118th in the Global Gender Gap Report.