Sumo Tradition Bars Japan’s Female PM From Ring (Full Transcript)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: Every leader who has stepped into Japan's sumo ring has been a man. That's likely not a coincidence, and this year will be no different. On the final day of every sumo tournament, the champion receives the Prime Minister's Cup, usually handed over in person by Japan's prime minister if they're in attendance. Even U.S. President Donald Trump presented an award during a state visit in his first term. But Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takahichi, won't be doing the same, according to local media. In sumo tradition, the ring is sacred and completely off-limits to women. Not by law, but, according to some experts, because of centuries-old Shinto beliefs about what it calls female impurity. The male-dominated Japan Sumo Association has denied that explanation, saying the sumo ring is for training reserved for men. Takahichi herself is a staunch conservative known for supporting traditional gender roles. Her chief cabinet secretary has previously said that Takahichi intends to respect the tradition of sumo culture. But this tradition has sparked outrage before. In 2018, female medics were told to leave the ring, even while treating a male politician who had collapsed. CNN has asked Japan's sumo association whether Takahichi would attend the ongoing tournament. But it declined to comment.