AFP:
Reports have emerged of primary school children being forced to lose weight...so they can compete in a lighter division.
Young children are taught the same dangerous moves as Olympic athletes and intense training regimes can leave them injured or burnt out.
Parents and coaches have been known to berate referees during matches and corporal punishment still exists
...
The All Japan Judo Federation decided to take action in March by cancelling a national tournament for elite children aged between 10 and 12, planning to replace it with events such as lectures and practice sessions.
The backlash was fierce with angry parents and coaches