Japan’s first female prime minister has taken a firm stance on one of the country’s most enduring and controversial traditions – making it clear that she has no intention of challenging long-standing sumo customs.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed the issue during a campaign speech in Fukuoka, responding to renewed debate over women being barred from the sumo wrestling ring, known as the dohyo.
The topic resurfaced shortly after she became Japan’s 104th prime minister last October:
I respect tradition. Women cannot step onto the sumo ring.
Some female politicians have expressed anger about this, but this isn’t about gender equality or anything like that.
This is about Japan’s traditions that have been carefully protected.
Her comments came as she explained why she has chosen not to personally present the Prime Minister’s Cup at professional sumo tournaments – a role typically carried out by the sitting prime minister.
Instead, male representatives have appeared on her behalf.
At the November Grand Sumo Tournament in Kyushu, the trophy was presented by Prime Minister’s Assistant Takahiro Inoue, as Takaichi was attending the G20 Summit in South Africa.
More recently, Education Minister Yohei Matsumoto performed the ceremonial duty at the final day of the January tournament.
The exclusion of women from the dohyo is rooted in Shinto beliefs surrounding ritual purity, with the raised clay platform regarded as sacred ground.
Male prime ministers such as Junichiro Koizumi and Shigeru Ishiba have previously stepped onto the dohyo to present awards.
Takaichi, however, has chosen to uphold the restriction, even though her office would traditionally grant her that privilege.
【私は相撲の土俵には上がりません】高市早苗総理大臣「私は伝統を重んじます。お相撲の土俵に女性は上がれない。それを怒っていた女性政治家もいましたが、しかし男女平等とかそういう話やなくて、大切に守られてきた日本の伝統の話です。ですから、これからも私は相撲の土俵には上がりません」 pic.twitter.com/4VqEZyKiS1
— Mi2 (@mi2_yes) January 31, 2026
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