Tokyo Olympic torch relay controversy over the establishment of’women prohibited section’

It is controversial that a part of the torch relay section of the Tokyo Olympics has been set as a’women prohibited course’. [로이터=연합뉴스]

The torch that will illuminate the Tokyo Olympics is creaking from the stage of transmission. Another controversy arose as a course was set in which women could not participate, while some sections were being suspended due to the spread of Corona 19.

On the 2nd, the Daily Nippon Daily Mainichi Newspaper reported that “a section of the Handa Canal in Handa City in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, where the torch relay is being carried out from the 6th, has been designated as a’men only course’.”

This section is about 200m in the Handa Canal, and the beacon runners are expected to carry the torch on a boat used in the local traditional festival “Jintoro Matsuri,” dating from the Edo period (1603~1867).

About the reason why this section was set to pass only men, the Mainichi newspaper explained, “Because it is an area affected by the’women’s ban’, which prohibits women from entering sacred places.”

It is Handa City’s decision to set the torch to pass in areas where women cannot enter. To promote the Jintoro Matsuri, a local traditional festival, a torch relay using a ship was proposed to the Ehime Prefecture Executive Committee. At that time, it was reported that Handa City notified Ehime Prefecture about the region and related regulations.

The problem is that the provision of’women not allowed to enter’ violates the Olympic Charter, which regards gender equality as an important value. Professor Raita Gyoko of Jukyo University pointed out, “The fact that no one has questioned or raised a question about the absurd setting that women cannot participate in the torch relay process reveals a lack of awareness of gender equality.”

In this regard, an official from Handa City said, “I don’t know if there are any aspects that are somewhat inconsistent with the spirit of the Olympics, but that is the tradition of the Matsuri. History and traditional culture can often conflict with the latest common sense.”

Meanwhile, Corona 19 is also in the shape of acting as a stumbling block for the Tokyo Olympic torch relay. Osaka Mayor Matsui Ichiro argued on the 1st that “Olympic torch relay events should not be held in Osaka, where key measures are applied due to the spread of Corona 19.”

The torch is scheduled to pass through the Osaka area between the 13th and 14th, and if the relay event is stopped, it could seriously disrupt the plans of the Japanese government and the event organizing committee to boost the Olympic heat. Earlier, Shimane prefecture announced that it would not cooperate with the Olympic torch relay due to Corona 19, and rebelled against the government policy, but withheld it. Shimane Prefecture is planning to make a final decision after watching the spread of Corona 19 by mid-April.

Reporter Song Jihoon [email protected]