Sanae Takaichi drew criticism for requiring staff to work in the wee hours in a country scarred by “death from overwork.”

A version of this scene repeated itself all day in Kyoto last month as 300 wrestlers went at it in bout after bout. This was no ordinary tournament. Taking the place of girthy Japanese men in the ring were women of all ages. They were there to participate in the All Japan Women’s Sumo Championships.