Last week’s Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London was a moment to celebrate Japanese tradition, discipline and cultural identity while bringing one of the world’s oldest sports to a global audience. MUFG was proud to be a main sponsor of this five-day basho which saw over 40 sumo wrestlers fight it out for the winner’s trophy. We were also honoured to have rikishi Wakamotoharu Minato join us in our London office to share his insights on work-life balance and how to stay focused under pressure. We would like to extend our thanks to the Royal Albert Hall, Askonas Holt and Japan Sumo Association, and all those involved in making the tournament such a great success.
This past week London witnessed something truly extraordinary — the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall. The tournament brought the spirit, discipline, and heritage of Japan to the heart of the UK and I was delighted that MUFG was one of the main sponsors of this iconic event. Sumo is more than a sport. It’s a centuries-old tradition that embodies respect and resilience, values that resonate deeply with MUFG’s own culture and commitments. Supporting this tournament is our way of honouring our Japanese cultural identity while helping share it with a global audience. Seeing the excitement and curiosity from attendees — many experiencing sumo for the first time — was a powerful reminder of how cultural exchange can inspire and unite. It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience to share with our clients and colleagues. Thank you to the organisers, the rikishis, and everyone who joined us in celebrating this unique event.