How these women made social impact on Japanese society 2023-2024

The upcoming March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a day to honor the efforts of women and reflect on their progress in the fight for equality, peace and development. It serves as a reminder to refocus attention on these critical issues. Though Japan has gender issues based on deep-rooted gender stereotypes and discrimination, some courageous women have emerged as advocates for justice. I have selected women who have been inspirational and influential in Japanese society over the past year, acknowledging their noteworthy contributions and achievements.

Rina Gonoi

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Rina Gonoi, a former Japanese Self-Defense Force servicewoman, recently received the 2024 International Women of Courage Award issued by the U.S. Department of State. She was also selected as one of the BBC 100 Women 2023.

In 2021, she accused three colleagues of sexual assault, and in December 2023, they were found guilty. It took almost two years to achieve justice because male-centered organizations had consistently obstructed her efforts to reveal the truth.

Catalyst for change through dream and courageous action

Joining the SDF had been her dream job since a military woman helped her evacuate in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Her dream finally came true in 2020. However, she began training in a unit known for its rampant sexual harassment. In the unit, she was sexually harassed daily basis, and one day she was subjected to sexual violence beyond harassment by three male colleagues.

She filed a damage report to the police affairs unit within the SDF, but the case wasn’t prosecuted due to lack of evidence, as everyone covered up the incident. Despite the frustratingly slow progress and it taking a year for the SDF to even acknowledge the incident as sexual assault, Gonoi never gave up and continued to raise her voice.

Some view this case as an instance of violence rooted in power dynamics and gender. As the youngest and one of the few female members, individuals like Gonoi were particularly vulnerable to such assaults. Unfortunately, Japan is no exception, with numerous cases of harassment and assault committed by those in positions of authority against the vulnerable.

While the SDF may be too vast to undergo immediate change, Gonoi undoubtedly made an impact. Subsequent to her accusation, the MoD conducted a survey which revealed over 1,300 cases of harassment across various branches of the SDF. Also, many individuals have voiced their support for her and shared their own experiences of harassment on her social media accounts, almost as if they were seeking healing for their own trauma. Her steadfast belief in being a source of benefit and inspiration to others serves as encouragement, not only for herself but also for countless voiceless victims.

Kiko Mizuhara

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Kiko Mizuhara is an American-born model and actress, known for speaking out about sexual assault in the entertainment industry and issues related to gender stereotypes. Many Japanese teenagers adore her and her lifestyle. This year, she has been appointed as an ambassador for “iroha,” a Japanese femcare brand, and has contributed to the development of a new product aimed at enhancing female self-pleasure. 　

Shifting perceptions of female self-pleasure

Female masturbation has long been a taboo subject, unlike male masturbation, which is often discussed in health classes in elementary and middle schools. Despite progress, many still view female masturbation as shameful or inappropriate. With female TV stars like Mizuhara leading the way, certain trends that promote masturbation as a positive aspect are slowly emerging in Japanese society.

“How can women talk about sex positively and openly?” has been her interest. She addresses this topic in her documentary series “Kiko Kikaku,” available on Amazon Prime, where she covers a company that produces self-pleasure items. It is so modern and refreshing to see her, along with the female development staff, talking passionately and joyfully, yet in a relaxed manner, about what self-pleasure entails and why the products are highly recommended. I believe her charismatic aura and passion will alter the perception of female self-pleasure.

Women’s voices elevated on social media

I understand it might seem like an oversight not to name a specific woman, but I believe that the influence and power of women’s voices are growing stronger with the increasing use of social media platforms like X and Instagram. It has been assumed that women’s complaints are nothing more than murmurs and that even sexual harassment is a common occurrence. However, in recent times, the voices of women have garnered hundreds of thousands of “likes” and have resonated across the nation, leading to their concerns being acknowledged as significant issues.

For example, Japanese society, including many men, has finally acknowledged the gravity of sexual assaults such as groping on trains and non-consensual sex. Social media also played a significant role in highlighting incidents involving TV male stars who sexually assaulted women, questioning why female anime characters are often portrayed in a sexualized manner, and exposing cases such as the incident where a male staff member contaminated a female colleague’s food with his sperm. These instances illustrate how women’s voices on social media have raised awareness about various social issues.

Indeed, social media platforms still harbor numerous issues, notably serving as a fertile ground for sexual crimes. Nevertheless, it’s evident that the proliferation of social media is revitalizing women’s voices and resilience, previously overshadowed in a male-centric society. This emerging trend heartens me, illustrating that one doesn’t need fame or power to speak out, it could very well be you and your post that catalyze societal change.