What is the national sport of Japan?

• A. Baseball
• B. Sumo wrestling
• C. Judo
• D. Karate

Answer: (B)

The idea tested is recognizing which sport holds a special cultural status in Japan. Sumo wrestling is Japan’s traditional sport with centuries of history and deep Shinto rituals. It is uniquely tied to Japanese culture through the ceremonial ring, salt purifications, stomp of the dohō, and a professional ladder led by the yokozuna. This combination of historical significance, national symbolism, and distinctive ceremonies makes sumo the sport most associated with Japan’s national identity. Baseball is incredibly popular in Japan, but it lacks the same ceremonial historic role; judo and karate are widely practiced globally and originate from Japan, yet they do not carry the same uniquely national ceremonial status within Japan as sumo does.