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| Supplied photo taken in April 2009 shows the "Chintoro" boat during a local festival in Handa, Aichi Prefecture. (Photo courtesy of Handa city via Kyodo) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Now, women can join a Tokyo Olympic torch relay leg involving a traditional decorated boat in a Japanese city in response to calls that excluding them violates the global sporting event's principle of gender equality, local officials said Friday.
Kyodo reported, in the relay leg due to being held Tuesday, only men were initially set to be allowed to board the boat to be used in the 200-meter segment, crossing a canal in Handa, Aichi Prefecture. Women are prohibited from getting in the "Chintoro" boat, which is used in a local festival dating back to the Edo Era (1603-1868), the city added. In Japan, women aren’t allowed to enter places such as a sumo ring, or dohyo, as they are regarded as being sacred. "We will allow women on the boat as (the relay) is a separate event from the regular festival," a city official said.
Seiko Hashimoto, president of the organizing committee, told a press conference in Tokyo, "I understand (the city) took into account the importance of gender equality, the aim of the games while preserving the wonderful traditional culture of Japan." Hashimoto, who replaced Yoshiro Mori as head of the committee last February after he made sexist remarks that sparked an international uproar, expressed her appreciation for its decision and pledged to continue promoting gender equality.
