What would happen if men and women swap their roles entirely, and women had social and political power? You may find out the answer in a Japanese Sci-Fi manga series, “Ooku: The Inner Chambers,” by Fumi Yoshinaga, that has been made into TV drama...
Mieko Kawakami, a Japanese female author, is likely one of the most talked about novelists worldwide at the moment. After receiving Japan’s prestigious Akutagawa Award for “Breasts and Eggs” in 2008, she has been nominated recently as an America’s...
“When he told me that he was pregnant, I unintentionally asked if it’s really mine.” “It’s usually the man asking that.” This is a subtle conversation between the main character’s female partner and her friend, and I think these two lines represent...
In Japanese society, traditional gender roles still prevail. Although reducing unconscious bias is an uphill task, part of society is attempting to achieve gender equality through SDGs. The fashion field is no exception. In recent times, genderless...
Kyushu Rainbow Parade will be held online on November 6 and 7 for the second time, considering the situation of COVID-19. When thinking about Kyushu and Gender and Sexuality issues, there is a shared image in Japan that Kyushu is a region that has a...
We often turn to films, books, comics and news for entertainment, inspiration and information. However, media can also convey troubling messages, particularly with regards to gender. Every country has its own unique issues with media depictions of...
Girl Scouts of Japan in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo recently released a survey covering female university students and their thoughts toward gender. Entitled, “Female University Students × Gender Survey Report 2020,” the survey was compiled by a...
Gender roles can be difficult for anyone to deal with. Japanese women are pressured to focus on marriage, raising children and housework before their own lives and careers. While this can limit their options and potential, the flip side is that...
Japanese women spend seven times as much time doing housework than their male partners. According to a survey last year by Nippon.com, wives spend an average of four and a half hours doing housework during the week, while their husbands do less than...