Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi Faces Sumo Tradition Dilemma

Japan’s first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, stands at the centre of a national debate as the Fukuoka Grand Sumo Tournament nears its finale. The question dividing opinion is whether she will enter the sacred dohyo to present the Prime Minister’s Trophy — a task long reserved for men under Shinto tradition. Her choice could symbolise either respect for ancient customs or a push for modern gender equality.

Historic Role and Early Challenges

Sanae Takaichi, who assumed office in October 2025 after winning the Liberal Democratic Party leadership, made history as Japan’s first woman to lead the nation. Her conservative image and focus on security and economic revival have defined her early days in office. Now, the sumo dilemma adds a deeply cultural challenge to her premiership, testing how Japan reconciles tradition with changing social values.

The Religious Roots of Exclusion

The exclusion of women from the dohyo stems from Shinto beliefs that regard the sumo ring as a sacred space. According to centuries-old custom, women are barred due to the notion of impurity linked to menstruation. This unwritten rule has prevented female participation in professional sumo, whether as wrestlers, referees, or presenters. Despite repeated public criticism, the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) continues to uphold the practice as cultural preservation.

Past Controversies and Reform Efforts

History records several women who challenged this barrier. In 1990, Chief Cabinet Secretary Mayumi Moriyama was denied entry to the ring, followed by Osaka Governor Fuse Ohta in 2000, who was forced to hand over a trophy from a walkway. A 2018 incident, when female medics were ordered to leave the ring while treating a collapsed mayor, sparked public outrage and an apology from the JSA. Though an advisory panel was formed in 2019 to review the rule, no policy change has been made.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female Prime Minister in October 2025.
• Women are banned from the sumo ring under Shinto beliefs of ritual purity.
• The Japan Sumo Association last reviewed the ban in 2019 without resolution.
• In 2018, female medics entering the ring caused a national debate on gender equality.

Balancing Modernity and Tradition

Whether Takaichi steps into the ring or not carries political and cultural significance. Entering would defy a centuries-old taboo and mark a statement for gender inclusion; staying out would reaffirm traditional norms, aligning with her conservative supporters. With sumo’s popularity rising after recent successes, including the promotion of homegrown yokozuna Onosato, the moment holds symbolic weight. Japan now watches closely — to see if its leader will honour custom or redefine it in front of the nation’s most sacred sporting stage.