In response to the Japanese Sumo Association’s designation of the sandboard (dohyo) of Japanese wres..

On the designation of sumo sandboard gold women’s zones
Japanese tradition, not a matter of equality between men and women

사진 확대 A view of the Japanese sumo stadium [Tokyo correspondent Lee Seung-hoon]

In response to the Japanese Sumo Association’s designation of the sandboard (dohyo) of Japanese wrestling sumo as a gold girls’ zone, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said he would abide by this tradition. The Japanese prime minister often attended sumo awards ceremonies, but it has been controversial because of the rule that women cannot climb on the sandboard.

According to the Asahi Shimbun on the 1st, Prime Minister Takaichi said at a Fukuoka election campaign on the 30th of last month, “I value tradition,” and “I will not go on the sumo sandboard in the future.”

“There are also female politicians who are angry that women cannot climb on the sandboard of Sumo,” he said. “This is not a story like gender equality, but a Japanese tradition that has been preserved.”

Some, including former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, went on the sand to present the winner at the “Ozumo 撲,” a sumo major competition. Even in 2019, President Donald Trump, who visited Japan, took the sand on behalf of Prime Minister Abe and gave him the trophy himself.

However, Prime Minister Takaichi missed the awards ceremony, although he has had two ozumos since his inauguration in October last year. On the 25th of last month, Ozumo “Senshuraku”, the winner was decided, and a male, Yohei Matsumoto, the Prize of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, presented the award.

사진 확대 Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae high-fives with supporters after an election campaign in Oita Prefecture on the 30th of last month [X Capture]

The Japanese Sumo Association established an “investigation committee on women and ssireum” in 2019, but has yet to conclude. The association has actually expressed its intention to reject Prime Minister Takaichi’s media inquiries regarding whether to allow him to climb the sandboard, saying, “We will inherit Sumo’s traditional culture.”

There are also high voices of criticism over the Japanese Sumo Association’s policy.

In 2018, the mayor collapsed while congratulating on the sand during a tour in Maizuru. At this time, when a female nurse stepped on the sandboard for emergency measures, the in-house announcer broadcasted, “Women, please get off the sandboard,” drawing strong criticism.

In addition, Representative Mayumi Moriyama, who became the first female cabinet secretary in 1990, coordinated her attendance at the awards ceremony, but the Sumo Association officially rejected it. In 2000, Osaka Prefecture Governor Fusae Ota, Japan’s first female governor, sought to award the event held in Osaka, but this was also rejected by the Sumo Association.

At that time, when she refused to award a woman, the Sumo Association said, “It is okay to have at least one such society,” causing controversy.