Japan promoted sumo at the International Tourism Fair in Buenos Aires

Last weekend, within the framework of the FIT (International Tourism Fair) that was held at the La Rural property, Japan displayed all its cultural potential with activities at its stand and two sumo demonstration conferences in one of the auditoriums of the property.

“I think it is a good time to think about traveling to Japan because it is cheap and there is a very varied offer,” commented Ambassador Hiroshi Yamauchi, who was present at the fair and shared his opinion on the current state of tourism in Japan with Reporte Asia. . “The signage has improved a lot, it is possible to find many signs translated into English and not only in Japanese. Another change that is noticeable is that people are more willing to talk to foreigners and support their travel experience, making it more enjoyable.” He did not refrain from providing some tips: “The best time to travel is spring and autumn, which are the other way around in Argentina. But every season has its appeal.”

Regarding the concern recently mentioned by some media about possible “overtourism” in the country, he expressed that “there are some places where there are many tourists, but you just have to plan the schedules and the places to visit well. My advice is to choose the time in advance to have the best experience.”

According to Yamauchi, anime and manga fans and the 65,000 Japanese descendants in our country are an essential part of the connection that unites Argentina with Japan in a natural way and that awakens the desire to travel. “Argentina has people who feel close to Japan,” summarizes the Ambassador.

Encouraging data

“I think Argentines love Japanese food,” said Yohei Iwatari, director of the Japan National Tourism Organization in Mexico and who was also present at the fair. “In 2023, around 14,000 Argentines traveled to Japan. If we compare it with the numbers before the pandemic, the figure went down. But until June of this year, there were already 10,000 Argentine tourists, so we will surely exceed last year’s figure.” The FIT seems to back up his words. During the tour of the international offer pavilion, the resurgence of Japan in the Argentine market could be seen in several stands of agencies and operators that have included this destination as part of their packages. According to data provided by Iwatari, Argentines stay in Japan between 10 and 15 days, choosing Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima as the main cities.

After the end of its recent edition, the FIT announced a record of approximately 135,000 visitors, 7.5% more than in 2023. Of that figure, 92,104 people made up the final consumer audience, part of which passed by the Japan stand during the weekend to get information, access sake tastings or attend free taiko shows.

Sumo in perspective

“In Japan, compared to men, it is very difficult for women to start or continue in sumo,” Hyori Kon told Reporte Asia after one of her presentations at the International Tourism Fair. “In the future, I want sumo to be an Olympic sport. That is why there are many things that I want to change so that I am allowed to enter more fully and participate in said competition.”

These are not the words of a beginner. Hyori Kon is a four-time sumo world runner-up (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023), was included in the BBC’s “100 Outstanding Women” list in 2019, and is the subject of the 2018 documentary “Little Miss Sumo.” Netflix, which delves into her passion and the challenges that as a woman she faces when practicing a historically male sport. For a few months she has been in Argentina as a volunteer for JICA (the Japan International Cooperation Agency) to continue helping to spread sumo through the Sumo Association of the Argentine Republic, founded in 1985.

“Sumo is not known throughout the world. “It is difficult to find instructors for Japanese-style sumo training and funds to participate in world championships,” he added. As part of the dissemination objective, Kon gave two lectures at the FIT, recounting the origins of the sport, its rules and even its impact on Japanese tourism. During both days, participants were invited to put into practice some of the basic movements, generating a fruitful exchange.

Hyori highlighted that “the main value of sumo is respecting your opponent” and that the Argentine practitioners that she has had the opportunity to meet and train “are spiritually very strong.” In fact, she accompanied Alberto Oscar Maibach as a coach to compete in the Sumo World Cup that took place in Poland last September.

The wrestler aspires to achieve gender equality in sumo, which would facilitate its inclusion as an Olympic sport. Although women have competed in international amateur championships for 27 years, their participation in the traditional competition format within Japan is still not permitted.

Graduate in Oriental Studies (University of Salvador). Public Relations Specialist. He has a higher diploma in Education, Images and Media (Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences). He has a Master’s Degree in Cultural Industries, Politics and Management (National University of Quilmes). She is a professor of the class on Japan in the subject Intercultural Processes, of the Master’s Degree in Cultural Diversity (National University of Tres de Febrero). He teaches training courses on the history, culture and protocol of China, Korea and Japan (Isaac Fernández Blanco Museum of Hispanic American Art).