Feminism In Japan
May 1, 2008
Feminism in Japan
Eryka Thorley
and
Alonzo Antonucci
The Progression of Herstory
To organize the now-voting women of Japan (1945), the Ministry of Labor created the Women’s Bureau in 1947.
Modifications to the constitution after WWII. Article 9,14,24.
1975 was declared the International Year for Women by the United Nations. (CEDAW)
Equal Employment Opportunity Law (EEOL) of 1985 was created to “eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.”
Pre 1970’s Feminism in Japan
Women found themselves associating with the politics of the New Left after WWII.
The US-Japan Security Treaty of 1960, radical student activism, anti-Vietnam protests, and environmental concerns roused the action and interests of Japanese women in the 1960’s.
Militaristic response to protests with the death of Kamba Michiko and numerous others in anti-war demonstrations.
Women became disillusioned with the duty of supporting their male counterparts along with their marginal duties within these social movements.
Japanese women slowly became disenfranchised with the New Left and began seeking their own place within policy and action.
“As for us women, who are objects of men’s sexual desire, we maintain the ie (household) which, for the State, serves as a stage for children, and functions to bind men to the system, and through our unpaid labor we also indirectly support the interests of capital. Thus as for our liberation as women, it must be a liberation of Eros, which means a reform of our stream of consciousness that denies our sex, and by regarding children as the children of society, we call the struggle that of childcare laborers, and we direct our movement towards the dismantling of the ie (and in the process we will take up the issue of abortion and sexual diseases).”
1970’s Feminism
The Women’s Liberation Movement was stimulated by Western Feminism, yet was very uniquely Japanese.
Women’s Lib groups joined together to discuss and unite women on a traditionally divided front.
They discussed sexism, racism, environmentalism, the family system along with its connection to government, sexual crimes along with numerous other issues.
1970’s Feminism
The Eugenic Protection Law revision in 1970. (1948)
Attempt to tighten the previous policies regarding abortion which allowed women the right to an abortion based on economic reasons.
The revision attempted to cut economics from the equation.
It did not pass.
Environmentalism is a female dominated issue in Japan stemming from their typical gendered roles of protector of the family, children, and nature. (Ecofeminism)
At one time Japan was considered the most polluted country in the world. (Mercury poisoning in Minamata)
Many newspapers, magazines, and translations were published by women throughout Japan to spread information and ideals regarding the Women’s Lib Movement.
“Modern Japan, it may be argued, is less homophobic than most Western societies.” (Leupp, 201) Japan has no laws against homosexuality; there are no references to sodomy on the books, and no specific anti-discrimination legislation.
“There remains no place in Japanese society for the exclusively gay or lesbian individual who is unwilling or unable to sublimate his or her sexual identity and pursue the charade of marriage.” (“Lesbian”)
The Beautiful Way: The Roots of Homosexuality in Japan
http://www.geocities.com/bjcjapan/roots.html
Japanese gay slang
Bian (ビアン)
Rezubian is a transliteration, and bian a contraction, of the English word lesbian. Unlike the similar word rezu (see below), bian is commonly used only by lesbians to describe themselves and others, akin to the use of the word “dyke” in modern America, as rezu is used occasionally as a pejorative and frequently by popular non-lesbian media.
Futsū (普通) Literally “normal”: heterosexual, a heterosexual person.
Onabe (お鍋, おなべ) Literally “a pot,” this word refers to lesbians or occasionally to female cross-dressers. Often pejorative.
The Gay and Lesbian Sex Tourism
Utopia Guide to Japan (2nd Edition): The Gay and Lesbian Scene in 27 Cities Including Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagoya
Male Geisha’s The woman, a successful executive, has joined a growing number of professional women in Japan are forking out $1,000 to $50,000 a night for male companionship. They meet their “hosts” in hundreds of clubs that have sprung up around Tokyo – the industry says only compliments are exchanged. The women pay for a man to lavish them with undivided attention. ”There’s nothing wrong with a woman paying to be entertained by a man,” one female client says. “It’s just another step in equality.”
“I give women things that men normally don’t do, like complimenting their appearance,” says one host, 24-year-old Yunosuke, who only goes by his single host name. “I make women happy.”
And they make him happy: Yunosuke says he earned more than $200,000 last year, enough to let him visit a salon once a day to have his hair dyed and blow-dried.
“Women see us as one of their accessories,” he says. “They like to wear nice things, so I try to look prettier for them all the time.”
What drives the business boom is an increase in the earning power of Japanese women, according to Air Group, It’s a dizzying reversal of traditional gender roles in a country long known for geishas pampering male clients with conversation, singing and dancing. Now a new breed of entertainer has cropped up — think of them as male geishas.
a company that owns a chain of “host” clubs.
Correlation of Feminism and Anime
There is clear evidence among both men and women, that the role of women in Japan is no longer the traditional housewife/mother25. Surveys by the Prime Minister’s Office in 1987 and 1995 demonstrate the shift in public opinion of women by both sexes.
While in 1987 over 50% of the men surveyed agreed with the traditional role of women in Japan, by 1995 the percentage had dropped to 33%26. Interestingly, observing the state of Japanese animation over the past decade or so reveals a relative parallel between the content of Japanese. However animation and these results.
Divorce rate? 14.5% (U.S. rate is 47%)
Percent of marriages that are arranged: 15%
Number 2 reason that Japanese women seek divorce: domestic violence. (Incompatible personalities is the number one reason)
Whereas 87% of American women think being in love is necessary for a good marriage, only 68% of Japanese women think it is needed.
Number of Japanese women in the work force in 1996: 27 million (41% of the total labor force). Percent that are managers: about 1%. % of working males that are managers: 6.6%. % of women managers in the U.S. in the same year: 43%. (Source:
Kimono in the Boardroom: The Invisible Evolution of Japanese Women Managers, 1999
There is clear evidence among both men and women, that the role of women in Japan is no longer the traditional housewife/mother25. Surveys by the Prime Minister’s Office in 1987 and 1995 demonstrate the shift in public opinion of women by both sexes. While in 1987 over 50% of the men surveyed agreed with the traditional role of women in Japan, by 1995 the percentage had dropped to 33%26. Interestingly, observing the state of Japanese animation over the past decade or so reveals a relative parallel between the content of Japanese However animation and these results.
www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/essay/files/SeanBoden_WomenandAnime.pdf
Women and Anime: Popular Culture and its Reflection of Japanese Society
Battle Athletes: Anime
Earth’s greatest title is to be that of the Cosmo Beauty – the ultimate female athlete.
Kickboxing Geishas: How Modern Japanese Women Are Changing their Country by Veronica Chambers Forget the stereotypes. Today’s Japanese women are shattering them — breaking the bonds of tradition and dramatically transforming their culture. Shopping-crazed schoolgirls in Hello Kitty costumes and the Harajuku girls Gwen Stefani helped make so popular have grabbed the media’s attention. But as critically acclaimed author Veronica Chambers has discovered through years of returning to Japan and interviewing Japanese women, the more interesting story is that of the legions of everyday women — from the office suites to radio and TV studios to the worlds of art and fashion and on to the halls of government — who have kicked off a revolution in their country.
http://www.globecorner.com/t/t44/22234.php
Japanese Women’s Wrestling The Crush Gals were formed in the early 1980s, Nagayo and Asuka qucikly became by far the most popular women’s tag team since the Beauty Pair in the 1970′s, and possibly the most popular ever. They drew huge crowds of teenage girls for their wars with Dump Matsumoto, a large woman who naturally was a heel, and arguably the best heel of all time.
Women in Japanese Sports Homare Sawa- Japanese women’s soccer star
Japanese Women’s National Team Member, Member of the Atlanta Beat, World All-Star Player 1999 In Homare’s first Women’s World Cup in 1995 she was only 16 years old and after October of 2003, she will have competed in 3 Women’s World Cups. As a member of the Atlanta Beat Coach Tom Stone says of Homare, “Sawa might possibly be the most talented player the Beat has seen in its short history. She excels in every aspect of the game.” ”I enjoy the technical aspects of soccer and take pride in my skill level. Full90 only adds to my confidence and provides me with the added protection that will enable me to have a long, successful career.”
Feminism Today
Greater overall gender equality. New space for “being a woman.”
Male Geishas
Lesbianism and the break down of traditional sexual stereotypes.
Larger number of female within the work force along with a reduced birth rate and a greater number of single women.
Less patriarchy
within the family
structure and
government, although
there is still much to
accomplish for
total equality.
