麻豆约拍

The Japan Sumo Association has come under huge pressure to change its men-only policy following a series of sexism scandals.

Most notably, in April, women rushing to help a mayor who had collapsed in the sumo ring were told to leave by the referee because they're deemed to be 'unclean and impure'. Salt was then reportedly thrown into the ring to purify the space.

John Gunning, columnist at the Japan Times, has been telling Sportshour exactly what happened and why.

Photo: Tokyo Grand Sumo tournament, 2017 (Getty Images)