Women Drivers Reshaping Japanese Motorsport
Rising female participation in All-Japan Dirt Trial and the regional initiatives driving change
The share of female entrants in the All-Japan Dirt Trial Championship has risen steadily through the mid-2020s. At the start of the 2026 season, women represented approximately 11 per cent of total entries across all classes — up sharply from 6.3 per cent five years earlier.
Official JAF data shows female entrant share rising from 6.3 per cent in 2021 to 11.2 per cent at the opening of the 2026 season. Dirt trial's relatively low participation barriers are a key structural factor — no co-driver required, cars can be entered in standard specification in entry classes. Social media is an accelerant: female drivers documenting their competitive lives on Instagram and TikTok serve as introduction vectors. Challenges persist: many manufacturers still offer limited size ranges for women in competition helmets and suits, and the lap-time-dominant sponsorship culture disadvantages female drivers who may bring greater storytelling reach than outright speed.
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