Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi and the Sumo Tradition Debate

• Japan’s first woman Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi , has found herself at the centre of a cultural debate as the Fukuoka Grand Sumo Tournament approaches its final day. Traditionally, the Prime Minister presents the champion with the PM’s Trophy inside the dohyo , but women are barred from entering the ring under long-standing Shinto customs. Her decision, whether to follow the custom or step inside the ring, has become a symbol of Japan’s ongoing conversation about tradition and gender equality.

Background: A Historic Premiership

• Takaichi assumed office in October 2025 , becoming the first woman to lead Japan. Her early days in office have focused on security and economic recovery, but the sumo dilemma presents a different challenge. It brings into focus how Japan balances deeply rooted beliefs with modern social expectations.

Why Women are Excluded

• The ban stems from Shinto notions of ritual purity, which view the dohyo as a sacred space reserved for men. Under this belief system, women are considered ritually impure because of menstruation, and the rule has kept women out of professional sumo in all capacities. The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) continues to uphold the tradition despite growing public criticism.

Previous Flashpoints

• There have been several past confrontations. In 1990 , Chief Cabinet Secretary Mayumi Moriyama was denied entry. In 2000 , Osaka Governor Fuse Ohta had to hand over a trophy from a walkway. A major incident in 2018 , when female medics were told to leave the ring while treating a collapsed mayor, sparked national debate and forced an apology from the JSA. A review panel was formed in 2019 , but no reforms followed.

Exam-Oriented Facts

• Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female PM in 2025.

• Women are prohibited from the dohyo under Shinto purity beliefs.

• The JSA last examined the issue in 2019.

• A 2018 incident involving female medics intensified the debate.

A Moment With Cultural Weight

Whether she enters the ring or respects the tradition, Takaichi’s decision will carry significant cultural and political meaning. It highlights Japan’s larger debate about preserving heritage while adapting to changing ideas about equality and leadership.