Japan tries to please Rugby World Cup fans with rethink on tattooed bather ban

Hot spring resorts consider lifting traditional curbs on displaying body art, which is associated with criminal gangs

Thousands of hot springs in Japan are rethinking their long-standing ban on tattooed bathers, as the country prepares for the arrival of an estimated 400,000 fans for this autumn’s Rugby World Cup.

Visitors are accustomed to warnings to cover up their body ink while they are in Japan, where tattoos are traditionally associated with membership of yakuza crime syndicates.

Related: Rugby World Cup committee warns Japan not to run out of beer

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