lifestyle

4 things women are banned from doing in Japan

55 Comments
By Amy Chavez

Women have been prohibited from doing certain things (entering places, using facilities, etc.) for as long as civilization has existed. Restrictions are still common, albeit usually in religious contexts only. While religions themselves evolve and change with the times and bans are lifted, it doesn’t mean all of them get an update.

As women, we all know the purported reasons behind these bans: women are “impure” because we menstruate (the same impure biological process that allows us to give life to men), we are the physically weaker sex, and we distract men with our beauty. Yada, yada, yada.

Today, we take a look at four things women are still not allowed to do in Japan. I’ve divided them into bans and semi-bans. Bans allow no women; semi-bans allow women – but only sometimes.

Of course, it’s high time these restrictions were lifted. While much headway has been made in the past, such as the lifting of the rule preventing women from climbing Mount Fuji, other bans are proving more stubborn despite protests by Japanese women’s groups. Will these restrictions be lifted anytime soon? Only the Japanese people can decide.

1. Ban: Climbing to the top of Mount Omine

Reason: Women are a “distraction”

If you’ve ever dreamed of climbing Mount Omine in Nara Prefecture (officially known as Mt. Sanjo) – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan – we hope you’re not a woman. You might be surprised to learn that UNESCO doesn’t take gender into consideration when awarding World Heritage status, but heritage sites that ban the entire female race can be found in Myanmar, India, and Greece as well as Japan.

Mt. Omine won World Heritage status as part of a larger category of Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. In fact, the popular Kumano Pilgrimage route goes through the sacred area but makes allowances for women hiking through this part. They are still prohibited, however, from climbing up to Ominesanji Temple at the top of the mountain.

This interdiction is carried over from the old days when, according to Shinto tradition, it was felt that women’s alluring nature would distract male pilgrims from their ascetic duties. Well, perhaps all women were drop-dead gorgeous then, or maybe during those days it was de rigueur for women to hike around naked. But that’s certainly not the case today. Besides, you’d think the real test of a pilgrim seeking religious purity via the strict denial of worldly pleasures, would be to insist that he strictly deny himself worldly pleasures.

For information on updates to this rule, I made a quick call to Oku Japan, who runs off-the-beaten-track tours to places such as the Kumano Pilgrimage. One of their female guides confirmed the exclusion and said that in recent years they have started taking steps to soften it. She says that while it’s unlikely anyone would try to stop you from entering the mountain path, the local people still take pride in the rule and there may be friction if you enter. She doesn’t recommend pushing the limits.

At any rate, despite the edict seeming inimical to tourism, who are we to decide what local people should allow and not allow within their heritage sites? And one should never disrespectfully trample upon religious traditions. But we can still hope that more softening will take place to the degree of baby softness, and that women will be able to hike up the mountain some day, even while menstruating.

There is one part of the mountain, called Mount Inamura (稲村ヶ岳) that is sometimes referred to as Nyonin Omine (女人大峯), or “Women’s Ōmine,” reserved for ladies. Let’s hope there’s a bar set up there with sake and hors d’oeuvres.

2. Ban: Entering the sumo ring, taking part in sumo competitions

Reason: women violate the purity of the sumo ring

The Japan Sumo Association claims that since women have traditionally not been allowed to take part in sumo activities through the centuries, it would be a dishonor to all of their ancestors to change it. Well, that pretty much seals the case since we can’t get permission from the ancestors. Or can we? Why not get in touch with the Itako fortunetellers of Aomori Prefecture, known for their ability to talk with the dead? Surely this is just a formality and all she has to do is run the idea past the sumo ancestors.

With the impressive number of Japanese women in martial arts these days, and the recent ignominy from a decade of scandals, you’d think women would get tacit approval from the ancestors as well. Besides, there have been suggestions that women’s sumo did play a role in some Shinto rituals in the past, so we could clear that up at the same time. Hey, it’s worth a try because as it stands now, women are not allowed to enter the sumo ring even to present prizes to the wrestlers (and yes, women are chosen to give prizes).

And, as with most things that claim women are impure, we’re not that impure since we’re expected to assist our sumo wrestler spouses in their duties, and, should we be married to a stable master, to dedicate our time to helping out those training under him. So there you go: “Behind every successful man is a supportive (impure) woman.”

I might even be fine with excluding women from the sumo ring if the law were a bit more fungible and allowed women to create their own professional league. This is truly long overdue since women’s sumo, called "onnazumo," has been around as an amateur sport since the early 18th century. It is now a modern female sport in Japan that includes women of all ages. Yet it is still forbidden from having professional status.

3. Semi-Ban: Staying in capsule hotels

Reason: Targeted towards businessmen

You may have heard that many of Japan’s capsule hotels are men-only. That’s not true; almost all are men-only. To most people it’s enough to say that the rule doesn’t exist anymore because there are now capsule hotels that allow women. But if a woman just randomly rocks up to a capsule hotel, she’s going to be turned away 99 times out of 100. So it’s more correct to say that women are still not permitted at most capsule hotels.

This budget accommodation, where you stay inside a capsule-like tube, used to be the exclusively for males because such it targeted business men and those who drank until late enough at night to have missed the last train home to the suburbs (the occasional drunk business woman presumably had to either sleep in the gutter or hope she had enough money left over to stay at a higher priced hotel). Some capsule hotels are recognizing that women also work long hours and tend to drink and miss the last train home, and thus have added women’s floors. But not many. Don’t expect to find any that accept females in the countryside. I know – I slept outside once while on the Shikoku Pilgrimage because all the local hotels were full and the one nearby capsule hotel didn’t accept women.

Here are a few female-friendly capsule hotels with English websites: Asahi Plaza in Osaka. Green Plaza in Tokyo and Nine Hours which has long been one of our favorites and has two locations: Narita Airport and Kyoto. Outside of the big cities? Forget about it.

4. Semi-Ban: Becoming sushi chefs

Reason: Women’s hands are too warm, so could ruin the flavor of the sushi.

This subject has been discussed in much detail in several English media outlets, and it was declared an urban myth by National Public Radio in the U.S.. But the fact remains that many Japanese people still believe women shouldn’t be sushi chefs. And while men are happy to have their wives make sushi at home, the denizens of the kitchen are rarely seen preparing it at restaurants, considered to be the domain of male chefs.

Jiro Ono, owner of the Michelin 3-star restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro, has a son who told Speakeasy (the Wall Street Journal blog) that women shouldn’t become sushi chefs because they menstruate. In the interview he said, “To be a professional means to have a steady taste in your food, but because of the menstrual cycle women have an imbalance in their taste, and that’s why women can’t be sushi chefs.” He didn’t elaborate on their chances of becoming sushi chefs after menopause.

Of course this is just pabulum to appease the restaurant elites. We know the truth – put a beautiful woman behind the sushi bar and you’ll sell a lot more sushi.

Well, with all the ballyhoo about menstruation and impurity, it’s a wonder women can succeed in anything at all. Yet we do, all by our little menstrual selves. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a busy schedule today distracting ascetics and pandering my feminine charm to any male passerby – it’s all in a typical day of a pre-menopausal woman.

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Epic body slam action at US Sumo Open -- Dear Hikers: Stop pooping on Mt. Fuji if you want it to keep its UNESCO status -- Sumo Wrestlers Greet the World From Tokyo on Google Maps

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55 Comments
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Women should be able to do everything men do including being front line soldiers along side male troops.

3 ( +20 / -17 )

Jiro Ono, owner of the Michelin 3-star restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro, has a son who told Speakeasy (the Wall Street Journal blog) that women shouldnt become sushi chefs because they menstruate.

I used to have some respect for this elderly maker of ludicrously-priced sushi...not any more. Out of touch, old Jiro. Time to hang up the sushi knife.

Agree with Umbrella. It is the unbridled machismo - and a large dose of male ego - in Japan that is preventing women from getting into leadership (and other) roles, where most would no doubt far exceed the old men's abilities!

7 ( +18 / -11 )

A far more pervasive problem is that the entire male "race" is banned from staying at home or going out for a nice lunch while their wife works a gruelling 14 hour day as a salary-person. So far as the issues above, I assume the author is equally appalled at the many women-only hotels in the country, women-only colleges (a lawsuit in Fukuoka about that one), and other woman-only organisations that exclude men.

The sushi chef thing is not a ban. If a woman wants to open a sushi restaurant, she can. As soon as men are allowed to go office to office and sell yoghurt.

15 ( +26 / -11 )

Feminist claptrap that we don't need in Japan. Author is likely one of thsoe who considers stay at hoem mums as useless.

So Japanese womne are oppresswe because they cannot climb a certain mountain, do sumo (lol), stay in some capsule hotels or be sushi chefs in some places.

Just been reading about the author. Moaning and groaning doesn't help women or anyone, action does. Get rather tired of this nonsense from well off middle class women in Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

These matters are surely holding back Japanese women, lucky a foreign warrior journalist was brave enough tow rite non their behalf. I feel so sorry for those women who cannot compete in sumo, although of cousre they woudkl eb godo enough to win and those that want to climb a certain mountain (and is that enforced and the law)?).

The stories about capsule hotels and sushi chefs are cherry picked,

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

People around the world, have different lives and ways of living. People have different belief systems, customs and culture and usually live their lives according to what they believe to be right and wrong. They are often the rules of their countries main religion/culture or its political beliefs. We should never pass judgment on the way other people lives their lives with different beliefs systems, customs and culture. We should respect other customs, cultures and belief systems. Whether you agree or not has nothing to with this. As a matter of fact you can have a constructive talk about conflicting belief systems or differences in customs and customs and that would be just fine so long as you're not going out of your way to force someone to believe what you believe. It's about realizing people don't always see eye to eye and accepting that reality whether you like it or not.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

@commanteer

A far more pervasive problem is that the entire male "race" is banned from staying at home or going out for a nice lunch while their wife works a gruelling 14 hour day as a salary-person.

Nice hyperbole! Societal pressure is not a 'ban' - it's a constraint that you're allowing yourself to be restrict by.

I presume that your a man with 'stones?' If so, use them, and change your life.

-13 ( +5 / -18 )

Who's against banning beautiful women........... as long as they're beautiful...................

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

"People around the world, have different lives and ways of living. People have different belief systems, customs and culture and usually live their lives according to what they believe to be right and wrong. They are often the rules of their countries main religion/culture or its political beliefs."

Novenachama: Maybe so, but Japan likes to present itself as a Western style democracy which is superior to the rest of Asia. And that includes equal rights for women.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

It is the unbridled machismo - and a large dose of male ego - in Japan that is preventing women from getting into leadership (and other) roles, where most would no doubt far exceed the old men's abilities!

Which has nothing to do with Omine-San.

There's also miko at Shinto Shrines. Is Shinto going to be blacklisted as some kind of perversion?

There is one part of the mountain, called Mount Inamura (稲村ヶ岳) that is sometimes referred to as Nyonin Omine (女人大峯), or “Women’s Ōmine,” reserved for ladies. Let’s hope there’s a bar set up there with sake and hors d’oeuvres.

Oh, I feel so oppressed. Somehow I'll suppress my outrage and concern myself more about equal education for women worldwide (Cheers for Malala!), Yazidi girls and women treated as sex-slaves, (although the males had it worse, at least their demise was quick), and genital mutilation (both boys and girls, unless they opt for it freely).

You know, real hardship.

Never any mention of the many companies in Japan where the mostly female staff are supervised by mostly, if not all, female management. There's also a lot of jobs available to women only, not as a tradition, but "reverse" (which is a stupid term) discrimination. I'll try to stop my tears however and get back to work.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

This had interesting information, too bad it sounded preachy and radfem in the end.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Women's hands are too warm? What country was that person living in? When most Japanese women touch me, I practically jump out of my shorts, especially in the winter. She makes some good points but as some have already posted, it goes both ways as men are excluded from a lot of things too.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

When most Japanese women touch me, I practically jump out of my shorts, especially in the winter. You shouldn't let them touch you in your shorts, then:)

0 ( +2 / -2 )

1. Ban: Climbing to the top of Mount Omine

There is one part of the mountain, called Mount Inamura (稲村ヶ岳) that is sometimes referred to as Nyonin Omine (女人大峯), or “Women’s Ōmine,” reserved for ladies. Let’s hope there’s a bar set up there with sake and hors d’oeuvres.

Well, if they have one "reserved" for them. What is the problem?

2. Ban: Entering the sumo ring, taking part in sumo competitions

If the went against men, they would get wrecked! And who would want to watch women?

They should be allowed to do it though.

3. Semi-Ban: Staying in capsule hotels

If you have even stayed in one, you would see why.

4. Semi-Ban: Becoming sushi chefs

This is dumb. Typical stupid BS from Jiro. The biggest a-hole in the food world.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Semi-Ban: Staying in capsule hotels

This is semi-incorrect. Even the first capsule hotel in Japan, located in Osaka, accommodated females, but on separate floors from males. Japan now has several hundred capsule hotels and lots of them offer space for females.

The writer might want to consider expanding the count to 5, and include "the chrysanthemum throne."

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Just a note - it wasn't Jiro who made the comments about women and sushi - it was his son.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Semi-Ban: Staying in capsule hotels

This is semi-incorrect. Even the first capsule hotel in Japan, located in Osaka, accommodated females, but on separate floors from males. Japan now has several hundred capsule hotels and lots of them offer space for females.

Considering that everything you said supported the fact that it's only a semi-ban and not a full-ban, your claim of 'semi-incorrect' is in fact entirely incorrect.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Can women enter freely into monasteries?

The entire Mt Omine is a private property of the temple, which considers it training ground for the monks who lead secluded single life.

2 Ban: Entering the sumo ring, taking part in sumo competitions

It seems the author does not know the true and ugly reason of the ban. During the early days of Edo period, there was what was called Onna-Sumo (female sumo), which was a show of naked women fighting on a sumo ring. The Onna-Sumo was a big success, but the Shogun government did not like the obscene nature of the show and prohibited any woman entering sumo rings.

Same is true of Kabuki. During the early days of Edo period, there was what was called Onna-Kabuki (female kabuki), which was nothing but strip show. The Onna-Kabuki was a big success, but the Shogun government did not like the obscene nature of the show and prohibited any woman entering kabuki stages.

taking part in sumo competitions

She should thing again.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

What a ridiculous Western-centric article. Western women are lucky they live in a free society and I'm sick to death of hearing about what they can't or aren't allowed to do. So if you want to be a sumo then bad luck...suck it up.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

The writer might want to consider expanding the count to 5, and include "the chrysanthemum throne."

According to polls most Japanese welcome a revision to the Imperial Household Law. Before the law was introduced, Empresses, not just wives or mothers of Emperors, did exist. (Personally "Shaman Queen" Himiko intrigues me)

Some politicians and members of the Imperial Household also support revision of the law. This gaijin has no objection against it either.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

...So since the author is looking for same sex, no ban treatment, I suppose men are free to enter nun monasteries.. you know to become a nun? Or men should be allow to become a Maiko, or MIko? (to stay here in Japan). You should know there are places that men are banned for not only here in Japan but also around the world.

So you should reconsider your position about this nonsense article you wrote, dear Ms. Amy Chaves

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

a Maiko, or MIko

Ah, I said "Maiko" when I meant "Miko" :-)

Still only girls can become Maiko (Miko too, with the virgin part of top of that), and only women can become Geisha.

Hang on, becoming a Geisha requires years of training and servitude towards seniors etc. Discrimination against children? I'm outraged!

(My cousin-in-law who actually is a geisha would laugh at the idea of boys or men becoming maiko or geisha. Some do a good impression of girls/women in arts like Kabuki though)

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

2-4 are ridiculous, but I would hope women would understand that monks choose that lifestyle to avoid having such distractions for the rest of their life. There are not so many temples and monasteries in the world that this is such a burden to you.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

In this day and age all of these are ridiculous. I can see a problem with women entering the sumo world only in that there may not be that many who can physically compete with their male counterparts, but if they can, they should by all means be allowed to. Not allowing women to be sushi chefs in particular is absolute rubbish, and Jiro continues to undermine the world of sushi and Japan in general by being his racist, misogynist self (no surprise he's regarded as a cultural treasure!).

BUT, it should be noted the author and society don't seem to have much of a problem with the reverse, as many posters have pointed out. Some more ridiculous examples are "women only" movie theater discount days (makes ZERO sense!), women only lunch specials, etc. Then there are also the questionable 'women only' train cars and the like, you know, particularly if men only capsule hotels are an issue.

It goes both ways.

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

No one wants to see a female Sumo wrestler going head-to-head against a male let alone another female Sumo wrestler.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Japanese women are a constant distraction for me, so I understand the sentiment of number one entirely - but completely disagree with the ban. Women can only enhance the hiking experience imo.

Number 4 is just about the most mind bending schism of logic I have ever read. How do you put your name to a rationale like that?! It's perversely absurd.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Ah the feminists again! Almost as unnecessary as the atheists! When do they realize that women and men are fundamentally different in just about every way. There are certain things men shouldn't do and there are certain things women shouldn't do. These are the roles that nature has decided. Feminists always cry that women have fewer rights and aren't allowed this and that. The truth is that the world is often much harder for men. Feminists want to have equality? Ok, that also means that you have to accept all the downsides of what you get with your equality. And those downsides are fundamentally negative for humankind.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

CH3cho - re women entering the dohyo - perhaps you are correct. But it is only part of the story.

It has been well reported that shinto custom excludes women from the sacred ring - for being "unclean" - as stated in the article. This is not a secret and holds great weight in the shinto / sumo world.

This was readily observed 10 + years ago with the Osaka Basho. Tradition holds that the winner recieves the Governors Trophy from the Governor in the Dohyo, except this time a Ms Ota happened to be governor. She was of course banned from entering the ring so tradition was broken and the governor didn't award the aptly named Governors Trophy. This continued for 4 years admidst much debate. The rule was observed because of Shintoism - not because of a centuries dead Shogun. Ironically the man she replaced as governor (Yokoyama), who awarded the trophy many times, was a well known sleaze ball who finally had to quit for groping young girls - but he was pure enough to enter the sacred ground???

And re Amy Chavez's article - obviously it seems many are not familiar with her regular tongue-in-cheek-wink-wink humorous style and missed the nuances.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Who wants to see two fat women in daipers going at in a ring?

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

I like the idea of women sumo that the writer is suggesting. Does she have any suggestions for the dress code?

Also, I wonder what is up with those "women only" train carriages.... shouldn´t men be allowed to go everywhere where women can go?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

browny1Dec. 24, 2014 - 04:35PM JST

It has been well reported that shinto custom excludes women from the sacred ring - for being "unclean" - as stated in the article. This is not a secret and holds great weight in the shinto / sumo world.

Actually, that is a convenient explanation to hide the truth.

If Shintoism saw women unclean, why would we have so many miko in shines which are by far more sacred than sumo rings? The highest priest/priestess of Shintoism is Saio of Ise Shrine, who is a female. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai%C5%8D On top of that, the most sacred being of Shintoism is Amaterasu, who is a goddess.

The explanation that women are unclean is just for non-believers.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

'Ah the feminists again! Almost as unnecessary as the atheists!'

Feminists and atheists are 'unecessary'? What do you propose? A good dose of Pat Robertson? A bit of preachin' and prayin'? It's 2015 in a few days......

3 ( +8 / -5 )

CGB Spender: " There are certain things men shouldn't do and there are certain things women shouldn't do. These are the roles that nature has decided."

Which part of nature decided women can't cut sushi? can't climb a certain mountain? can't sleep in a small capsule 'room'? Agree with you that if women truly want equal rights than they have to expect the bad as well, but the examples of the banning of women in this article are ludicrous and have ZERO to do with nature deciding anything -- save that in the case of Sumo wrestlers you're more likely to find a lot more men who fit the bill physically than women, but still.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Not quite sure why some people here think that female sumo wrestlers would actually face male opponents, there's not many sports in the world where this actually happens unless it some type of mixed doubles like tennis or badminton. Only sport I think I've seen women actually go up against male competitors is in motorsport like NASCAR I believe.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I used to have some respect for this elderly maker of ludicrously-priced sushi...not any more. Out of touch, old Jiro. Time to hang up the sushi knife.

Read the article carefully, his son said that not Jiro.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

CH3Cho - thanks for your reply.

And thanks for the historical notes. I was aware of all those points.

re sacredness - we are talking about the custom of the Shinto Sumo Dohyo and it's relationship with women, not shrines or other holy places.

The fact that miko are women as is the sun goddess Amaterasu is not related to the rules of the Sumo Dohyo.

No one has suggested there is a universal Shinto rule that all women are banned from al Shinto religious practices or places, because as you quite obviously point out, there isn't. There may well be "local" customs and rules nationwide stretching back for millenium. I doubt Shinto has ever been an exercise in Absolutism.('cept for the Amaterasu believers) and actually you will find in many religions, esp animistic, where certain restrictions are placed on men & women re specific holy sites - specific being the operable word. And in some cases involving women, these restrictions will apply to the fact that women have a menstrual cycle. I can't imagine an ancient animistic religion like Shinto being the odd one out in all of such religions.

And I never discounted your story re the Shoguns displeasure with naked women, I just said that's probably only part of the story. Because of the weight of discussion re all of this in the 10 years ago controversy, I'm positive that the topic came up of womens unsuitability to grace the Dohyo arose from a belief that they would bring bad luck by defiling the sacred ground. I thought the Japanese media mentioned such.

Maybe my powers of recollect have diminished and I'm wrong, and you are right that the real reason is because of the Shoguns shock at the sight of naked female rompers.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Darknet "Who wants to see two fat women in daipers going at in a ring?"

ME ;)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I believe the 'lady', a rather overweight one at that, that enticed Amaterasu out of her cave to bring light back to Japan, by dancing sans clothes might have been a good sumo candidate.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well Women are from Venus and Men are from Mars you know........ As long as there is an equal playing field for the best to succeed in their chosen professions...... And chivalry remains alive and door opening, it is better a chylde unborne than untaught, manners maketh man........sumo and mountaineering allowing.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@umbrella With all do respect. Generally speaking women do not have the strength to carry heavy packs and compete with men physically. I served in Viet Nam, US Marines and let me tell you many a man had to be med evaced due to the strenuous conditions, heat and long pratols in terrible conditions. No way women would be just a hinderance.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

This is BS. Women should have the same opportunities as men in general. As for the capsule hotel problem, just have women only hotels to balance the problem. without women there would be no men.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"capsule hotel"

Those things are ridiculous. I once saw the inside of one and I couldn't stop shaking my head. For just a couple of thousand yen more you can stay at a business hotel where you get an actual room with a toilet and a shower and don't have to hear the other guests' snoring, coughing, alarm clocks...

It's no big problem for women to be banned from Japan Sumo Association sumo competitions, women can join non-Japan Sumo Association sumo competitions, and, more importantly, they can join pro wrestling competitions!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The difference between sexes:

If women form a "women's club" and ban men from entering, men react with shocking disinterest. When pressed, they will say something along the lines of, "Who cares? Why would I want to participate in a women's club?"

Women, on the other hand, when presented with a "men's club", will be absolutely incensed by the misogyny and not stop until granted full access, at which point it becomes a women's club.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The last two are ridiculous , the first one too

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The point about sumo is that women cannot even step into the ring to present the trophy to the winner. That's what is really ridiculous

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Capsule hotel one is false, it's not that hard to find one that accepts women. Besides, most capsules don't have doors (only roll curtains) so co-ed ones would almost certainly cause a lot of potential problems or liabilities. I've never heard of any woman who thought of staying at one though. You can also get actual hotel rooms for marginally more than the capsule costs.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@ Serrano ."It's no big problem for women to be banned from Japan Sumo Association sumo competitions, women can join non-Japan Sumo Association sumo competitions, and, more importantly, they can join pro wrestling competitions!"

Please, not too loud. Let them believe that they can't join and we will all be happy. By the way, presently I'm at the top of Mt Omine with a couple of ojisan mates and I can tell you it's rather peaceful. Saburo's on the lookout for any approaching feminists who may have broken through. Merry Christmas. Oh and to any females who think they can be Santa Claus then think again because you can't.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

CGB Spender -"Ah the feminists again! Almost as unnecessary as the atheists! When do they realize that women and men are fundamentally different in just about every way."

I know men who are feminine and women who are masculine and some going through sex changes (in Japan) so I judge what people can do on an individual basis. Anyway most intelligent beings would rather not fight especially for corrupt governments,propaganda or religions.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

the feminists again! Almost as unnecessary as the atheists!

This is implying that theists are necessary.

Look back at history and count the billions that have lost their lives due to religious wars. If either group is unnecessary, it's the theists, not the atheists.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Naked female sumo wrestlers.

Oh please, let it be so.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Ugh, to all the "anti feminists": yes, men and women are different. It doesn't mean men should ban women from doing what they want to try. So let them try to show their strength or skill, if they can't succeed, then let them be laughed at. Why do men have to be the "almighty powerful" and put signs and rules every where saying what others can and cannot do. Isn't it time we open our minds a little?

And about the whole "impure menstruation" thing. Don't men get wet dreams as teenagers, and touch their penis when they pee?

“To be a professional means to have a steady taste in your food, but because of the menstrual cycle women have an imbalance in their taste, and that’s why women can’t be sushi chefs.” He didn’t elaborate on their chances of becoming sushi chefs after menopause. Women used to be banned from smoking too.... sorry, who's taste buds were warped at that time?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@that person

I agree that menstruation should not be considered impure, but there are some men who cannot simply sit and endure the sexual imagery that a modern society bombards them with. They should be allowed to live in a monastery if they should choose. Chemical castration does NOT work (and neither does the full castration I imagine). Once the brain is flooded with testosterone, it is forever going to be on a quest for sex.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Heh. Funny how people are so quick to judge. So quick to condemn.

Everyone should be and live exactly the same. rolls eyes

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Think Nipponolando will ever have a female head of state?

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So on the counter balance, if these changes happen, does that mean the geisha culture will start accepting any man that wants to be a geisha? Not that I want to be a geisha (nor could I anyway because I'm not even of Japanese descent), but would you change it so the bare minimum men would be allowed to run or work in a geisha house as a geisha if they wanted to? I can see maybe allowing a separate professional female sumo wrestling competition (it's worked fine for UFC and mixed martial arts), and I can see allowing women to stay in capsule hotels (more money, duh), and sushi chefs sure, but if you want to present an equal state and demand to be entering a male only monastery/shrine, then change the rules about entering a female only shrine/monastery. Otherwise, this is nothing more than hypocrisy, especially since I'm not hearing the same thing about male rights to enter a female only school because it's the closest place to study what he wanted to major in (story ring a bell?).

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