FOCUS: Sumo Draws Capacity Crowds for over 300 Consecutive Days

Tokyo, July 7 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s traditional sport of sumo is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, with regular tournaments drawing sellout crowds for more than 300 consecutive days. The latest grand tournament, held in May at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan arena, sold out on all 15 days. That extended the streak of full houses at regular tournaments to 310 days, dating back to the sixth day of the January 2023 tournament in Tokyo. The current run is second only to the all-time record of 666 consecutive days, from the 11th day of the November 1989 tournament in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, through the opening day of the May 1997 tournament in Tokyo. Regular tournaments are held every two months. Spirited, Intense Stablemaster Nishiiwa, head of public relations for the Japan Sumo Association, attributed the enduring popularity to spirited, intense bouts in the ring that captivate spectators. “The action in the ring is compelling. Championship races are exciting, and more bouts now feature powerful offense and strong defense,” said Nishiiwa, a former wrestler who competed under the ring name Wakanosato and reached sekiwake, sumo’s third-highest rank. “We offer various services for fans, but ultimately, if the bouts themselves are boring, spectators will not come.” Professional sumo is rankings-based, and the strong presence of top-ranked wrestlers is the foundation of the sport’s popularity. Hoshoryu and Onosato, both in their mid-20s, stand at the pinnacle of the rankings as yokozuna grand champions. Additionally, the rapid rise of 22-year-old Aonishiki has attracted attention, although he will be demoted from ozeki, the second-highest rank, to sekiwake at the July tournament in Nagoya, central Japan, which is scheduled to start on Sunday. Kirishima and Kotozakura, both ozeki, are also among the sport’s marquee wrestlers. “Many names are being mentioned as ozeki candidates,” Nishiiwa said. “I think (fans) are very interested in the competition among them.” He also pointed to sumo’s appeal as an open-weight contest. Loud cheers often erupt when Ura, known for his agility and technique, or undersized Fujinokawa defeat much larger opponents, reflecting the surprise and delight of witnessing an unexpected outcome. “The small can overcome the large,” Nishiiwa said. “That’s one of the true appeals of sumo.” Revival There was a time when bouts featuring a wide array of talented wrestlers were held in arenas where empty seats were all too visible. Stablemaster Kitajin, formerly known as Endo, made his professional sumo debut at the March 2013 tournament in Osaka, western Japan. He went on to reach komusubi, the sport’s fourth-highest rank. At that tournament, full-house crowds were recorded on only 10 of the 15 days. His rapid rise through the rankings outpaced the growth of his hair, and with his loose, unkempt hairstyle, refined features and technical skill in the ring, he helped support a revival in sumo’s popularity. The current popularity is “the result of the association’s efforts to work as one,” Kitajin emphasized. “It reflects the unity of everyone involved, including the administrative staff.” The association’s public relations strategy, which has made effective use of social media, also appears to have played a role in attracting overseas tourists and younger fans in Japan. Edo Atmosphere At the same time, the association is taking great care in its use of social media, seeking to strike a balance between long-standing tradition and modern evolution. “We are not fixated on view or follower counts,” Nishiiwa said, explaining the association’s approach. “While preserving dignity–which is more important than numbers–we make skillful use of social media.” The association has also stepped up efforts inside Ryogoku Kokugikan, where fans lining up at shops staffed by stablemasters have become a familiar sight. Nishiiwa said the association is willing to embrace innovation in areas around sumo, such as fan engagement and other aspects apart from the bouts themselves, while maintaining the traditional feel of the tournament experience. He cited words often spoken by association chairman Hakkaku, the former yokozuna Hokutoumi: “We should be open to new things around the dohyo (ring), but once you sit in a ‘masu’ spectator seat, it should feel as if you are in the Edo period.” The Edo period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868, is widely regarded as the era in which regular sumo tournaments featuring professional wrestlers began. “I want to cherish those words,” Nishiiwa said. Japan’s ancient sport continues to evolve while capturing the hearts of fans through its multifaceted appeal, both inside and outside the ring. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]