Japan's new PM faces sumo-sized dilemma: will Takaichi defy the sport's ban on women?

"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. When asked if Takaichi would push for permission to present the prime minister's trophy to the winner a week on Sunday, the chief cabinet secretary, Minoru Kihara, did not give a definitive answer."

Anticipation is building over whether Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will enter the dohyo to present a trophy during the Fukuoka tournament. Eleven days remain in the current 15-day event, and government officials have given vague responses about a possible clash with the Japan Sumo Association. Women remain banned from entering or touching the sacred dohyo because of a Shinto belief that menstrual blood renders them impure, while women are allowed only in amateur sumo. The chief cabinet secretary declined to give a definitive answer and said the government will consider an appropriate response based on the prime minister's will. The controversy dates back to 1990 and has produced past incidents of prize presentations being held off the ring.

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