The country’s top leaders often present trophies to champions of the national sport. But like other women, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is barred from entering the sacred ring.

Sanae Takaichi is Japan’s first female prime minister. But women aren’t permitted to enter the sumo ring, and she may skip presenting the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament trophy on Sunday.

A Japanese official blasted China’s claims that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has altered Japan’s position on a Taiwan crisis as “entirely baseless,” calling for more dialogue to stop ties between Asia’s top economies spiraling.

By Leika Kihara and Makiko Yamazaki TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan on Friday escalated its warning of currency intervention and the central bank governor signalled the chance of a near-term interest rate hike,

The diplomatic rift between Beijing and Tokyo is also a test of Washington’s appetite for engagement with the region

Japan will likely lean more heavily on the US and its allies if China escalates economic pressure, as Tokyo seeks to navigate the fallout from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks linking Taiwan’s security to its own.

Japan has reported that its exports to the world rose 3.7% in October from a year earlier, while imports edged up 0.6%.

Japan is in the midst of a wave of deadly bear attacks with seven people killed and 88 others mauled in the deadliest month for animal attacks in the nation’s history, according to reports.