Sumo wrestling officials in Japan are implementing new measures to address increasingly severe summer heat as temperatures continue to rise nationwide. The initiative aims to protect the safety and well-being of wrestlers who perform in annual tours across the country during the hottest months.

Japan experienced its hottest summer on record last year, with recent days seeing temperatures reach as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas. Experts attribute the intensifying heat waves to human-induced climate change, which is causing weather events to become more frequent and extreme.

Takadagawa, a former sumo wrestler now serving as a stablemaster and tour chief, stated this week that the sport’s organizers will avoid holding events in venues without air conditioning starting next summer. This comes after reports emerged that some exhibitions held this August took place in locations lacking adequate cooling facilities for both the wrestlers and the surrounding environment.

In addition to venue changes, officials plan to reduce the overall number of tour days. Historically, the sumo summer tour has involved approximately 90 days of competition, but the schedule is expected to be cut to around 70 days going forward. The revised calendar will also feature modifications aimed at lessening physical strain on wrestlers, such as consolidating events so that participants can remain in a single area for nearby venues and combining two- or three-day tournaments to minimize travel demands.

Japan suffers about 1,300 heat-related deaths each year, highlighting the growing public health risks posed by extreme temperatures. Recent high-profile cases, including the death of Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi, who was hospitalized with severe heatstroke symptoms earlier this month, have underscored the urgency of adapting sports and cultural activities to hotter conditions.

Authorities have responded by rescheduling several events over the past years to avoid peak heat periods, reflecting a broader effort to mitigate the dangers of Japan’s rising temperatures. The sumo community’s planned adjustments align with these efforts, seeking to balance tradition with the need for increased safety amid a changing climate.