Society

Survey to be conducted on women and sumo ring

Apr 29 (NHK) - The Japan Sumo Association says it will conduct a survey to examine the tradition of keeping women out of the professional sumo ring.

The association announced the plan after an emergency board meeting on Saturday. It followed a series of incidents that sparked debate about the ban.

Earlier this month, an association official repeatedly told women to leave the ring over a loudspeaker as they attempted to provide first aid to the mayor of the city of Maizuru who had collapsed during a speech.

Also this month, the mayor of the city of Takarazuka was barred from giving a speech from inside the ring because of her sex. The mayor has since called for the association to consider allowing women to enter the ring.

The association released a statement from association chairman Hakkaku following Saturday's meeting.

The statement stressed the ban is not intended as sexual discrimination. It said sumo originates from a holy ritual and the ban on women has been a long-standing custom.

The statement added the association will consider allowing women into the ring but that more time will be needed.

The statement also touched on a spring sumo event for children in which girls were banned from taking part.

The statement explained the measure is out of concern for injuries and that the association will seek safer ways to organize children's events and consider allowing girls to participate.

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