"Gender Inclusivity at Japan's Hadaka Matsuri: Women Participate for the First Time"

Women participated in the Hadaka Matsuri, or Naked Festival, for the first time in its 1,250-year history at the Konomiya Shrine in Japan, breaking gender barriers and keeping the tradition alive. Despite initial concerns from the community, the women, dressed in "happi coats" and white shorts, made their way to the shrine, performed the ritual, and received a warm reception from the crowd. Their participation signifies a significant moment in the festival's history and reflects a changing attitude towards gender equality in Japan.