Eight sumo wrestlers from Japan's former Miyagino stable have undergone a simultaneous title change, a gesture reflecting their coach's hope for a unified identity. This is not an uncommon practice in Japanese sumo culture, where wrestlers adopt a ring name (shikona) to symbolize their aspirations or their stable's legacy. The exact reasons and the new names adopted by the wrestlers have not been revealed.

Changing ring names (shikona) in sumo is integral to the culture and traditions surrounding the sport in Japan. Wrestlers typically do this as a tribute to their stable, to shed previous ill luck, or affiliate with a specific lineage or tradition. As sumo is deeply entwined with Japan's societal values and identity, such changes usually garner social interest and discussion.

In the US or EU, a similar comparison might be when a team of athletes or individual sportspeople change their jersey numbers collectively. However, unlike sumo names in Japan, these changes often lack the cultural or symbolic undertone.