Women in Japan allowed to take part in ‘naked festival’ for first time

Women will take part in the hadaka matsuri in Inazawa, in which thousands of men dressed in next to nothing drive away evil spirits

Women in Japan have been permitted to take part in an ancient ceremony, known as the naked festival, for the first time in the event's history, albeit with modifications.

Every February, thousands of men dressed in next to nothing take part in the hadaka matsuri at a Shinto shrine in Inazawa, a town in central Japan, to drive away evil spirits over the coming year.