THE Japan Sumo Association said yesterday that it would consider outside opinions from experts and the public over its much-criticised policy of banning women from entering the sumo ring.

The association held an extraordinary meeting of its board on Saturday. It did not reach a decision regarding the ban on women but clarified that women can enter the ring in times of an "emergency" as an exception.

The association came under fire in early April when it ordered female first responders to leave the ring as they attempted to revive an official who collapsed at an event in northern Kyoto.