Sumo diplomacy: Japan's heavyweight 'soft power' ambassadors

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  • Sumo diplomacy: Japan's heavyweight 'soft power' ambassadors

SUMO, Japan’s ancient sport, is being revived as a tool of cultural diplomacy. After years of focusing on domestic audiences, the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) is once again sending wrestlers abroad, with a Paris tour planned for June following last year’s London showcase.
Such trips were once common, from France in 1995 to Las Vegas in 2005, but waned due to scandals, declining popularity, and the pandemic.
Historically, sumo has long served as soft power: in 1854, wrestlers performed before Commodore Perry, and during the Cold War, tours complemented Japan’s diplomacy, including a symbolic visit to Beijing in 1973. Today, with record tourism in Japan, overseas interest is surging. Promoters emphasize that sumo must be treated as tradition, not mere entertainment.
Wrestlers recall past tours fondly, from meeting President Jacques Chirac to enjoying Parisian culture. While China once countered with “panda diplomacy,” current strained relations mean sumo’s impact is different.
Still, the JSA hopes these tours will reinforce Japan’s cultural appeal abroad. — AFP

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Photo: kyodonews.net