The Mainichi

A⁢ Century of Unity, a​ Legacy of ‍Tradition: Japan’s⁤ sumo Association ⁢at 100

For a century, the Japan sumo Association‌ (JSA) has governed Japan’s national sport, a milestone reached in 2025​ following⁤ its official unification in 1925 from competing‍ associations based in Tokyo and osaka.However, the story of⁣ sumo extends far beyond administrative dates, deeply interwoven with Japan’s modernization, national identity, and evolving relationship with the outside world.

The early 20th century saw Japan undergoing rapid Westernization, bolstered by military successes⁣ against China and Russia.This period‌ of change coincided with the growing popularity of baseball, an American import. ​As former​ baseball player Harry Kingman observed⁣ during a ‍1927 coaching stint in Tokyo, the embrace of baseball was viewed as part of the nation’s broader modernization‍ efforts. ‌

Despite baseball’s rise,sumo remained the most popular ⁢sport in Japan untill the 1990s.Yet, the influx of this foreign game sparked anxieties within the‌ sumo world,⁤ as it appeared ‌to threaten sumo’s dominance and fan base. ⁢This competition arguably spurred the need for a unified governing body, culminating⁤ in the formation of the JSA.

today, ⁤Japan enjoys a reputation for “gross national cool,” as journalist Douglas McGray termed it⁢ in ⁢2002, highlighting the ‍nation’s influence through popular culture. However, McGray noted sumo as a notable exception, attributing this to what he perceived ⁢as insular attitudes within its leadership.

One⁢ meaningful challenge to sumo’s international ⁣appeal lies in its complex relationship with foreigners. While sports like baseball, soccer, and rugby readily incorporate international players, ⁤sumo has historically ⁤been⁣ more restrictive.​ The success of​ foreign-born wrestlers has, at times,⁢ been met with resistance. In 1993, Akebono, ⁣a Hawaiian wrestler, became the first foreigner ​to achieve⁢ the‍ highest rank of “yokozuna,” prompting a temporary halt to the ⁢recruitment of wrestlers from outside Japan.

Though restrictions have gradually eased, and‌ the number ⁢of non-Japanese ‍professional wrestlers is increasing, they remain a minority. Their achievements ⁢continue to fuel debate about the role ⁣of foreigners within the sport.

Moreover, sumo’s deeply rooted traditions, while central to its ⁣identity, have occasionally drawn criticism. A 2018 incident at⁣ a tournament, where female medics were asked to​ leave the sumo ring – ⁢considered a sacred space – ⁤while attending to a collapsed official, sparked ⁣widespread condemnation. The​ JSA chairman later apologized, but the event underscored perceptions of anachronistic practices.

changes are occurring, however. A 1926 Tokyo government‌ ban on women’s sumo is no longer enforced,and female wrestlers are now ⁤participating in⁣ amateur clubs,though​ they remain excluded from professional competition.

While sumo tournaments attract tourists,manny experience them as ‌a ‌one-time cultural event. The question remains whether sumo can evolve sufficiently to become a more effective ‍tool for Japan’s sports‍ diplomacy.⁤ The answer, ultimately, ⁢hinges on the ⁢JSA’s‍ priorities: preserving the sport’s uniquely Japanese identity or fostering broader global connections.

(Source: the Conversation – an self-reliant and nonprofit source of⁣ news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. The Conversation is wholly responsible for the content.)