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Resources on Japanese Women in English
This page contains links and short descriptions of information resources to help understand the situation of Japanese women and their activities. A list of selected bibliographies of books and journals at Information Center of Women¡Çs Education is also included at the end of the page.
For information resources in Japanese, please visit our Women¡Çs Information Portal.
1. Government policy
2. Women's centers
3. Feminism, women¡Çs/gender studies
4. Gender equality at universities and institutions
5. Employment
6. Business, economics and development
7. Violence against women
8. Social and welfare issues
9. Science
10. Information resources
11. Selected bibliographies
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National Women's Education Center (NWEC)
¡¡National Women's Education Center of Japan (NWEC) is a national center to promote women's education in order to realize the gender-equal society through conducting training programs for regional government officers, educational and group leaders, and international trainees and other personnel in women's education, and conducting specialized research and surveys on women's education. The outline of the Center, programs, bi-annual online publication "NWEC newsletter" are available on the web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
1. Government policy
Gender Information Site [Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office]
¡¡Gender Equality Bureau at Cabinet Office is Japan's national machinery for gender equality. Their English web site provides laws, white papers and country reports to CEDAW. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Foreign policy : Human rights [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan]
¡¡Country reports to CEDAW are provided in the section of "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women" under "UN Human Rights Instruments". [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Foreign policy : Transnational Organized Crime : Trafficking in Persons [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan]
¡¡This web site provides information on Japanese Government actions to combat trafficking in persons. Information on the situation of human trafficking in Japan, ¡ÈJapan's Action Plan of Measures to Combat Trafficking in Persons¡É and details of international meeting on the issue can be found in this web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Foreign policy : Women's issues [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan]
¡¡This site mainly provides statements by Japanese delegates concerning women's issues at the United Nations. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
2. Women's centers
¡¡There are more than 300 women¡Çs centers in Japan and they have been playing an important role to promote gender equality in Japan. Managed by either public or private organizations, they provide learning programs to empower women, counseling services and information services. The list only includes women¡Çs centers disseminating information in English on their web sites. For more details, please access our Japanese database on women¡Çs centers.
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National Women's Education Center
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The Center for the Advancement of Working Women (CAWW)
¡¡The Center for the Advancement of Working Women (CAWW) was established to provide comprehensive support to women who work or want to work in 2000. In addition to their programs, a chronological table of working women in Japan, and statistical data on Japanese working women is provided on the web site. Links to laws and regulations concerning working women are also provided on the web. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Dawn Center (Osaka Prefectural Center for youth and gender equality)
¡¡The Dawn Center is an institution established by the Osaka Prefectural Government. The center supports women's independence, provides an information network, promotes international exchanges, and encourages cultural expression. The outline of the center and their activities including counseling service and their annual English newsletter (ceased in 2007) are available on their web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
The Fusae Ichikawa Memorial Association
¡¡Fusae ICHIKAWA was a well-known activist for women's suffrage movement in Japan. The association holds lectures and seminars to promote women¡Çs political participation. In addition to the outline of the association and their activities, their web site also provides a biographical sketch of Fusae ICHIKAWA. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Kanagawa Women's Center
¡¡The Kanagawa Women's Center was established by Kanagawa Prefecture to promote empowerment of women and equal participation of both women and men in all aspects of the society. In addition to the outline of the center, a link to a web page explaining "Prefectural Counseling Services for Foreign Residents" is provided. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women
¡¡The Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women (KFAW) was established to promote the improvement of women's status as well as their mutual understanding and cooperation in Asia. Their web site provides information on their activities, table of contents of their English publications. Their English newsletter ¡ÈAsian Breeze¡É can be accessed on the web. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
National Council of Women's Centers
¡¡The National Council of Women¡Çs Centers is an association of women's facilities in Japan. It was established in 1961 with the objective of accelerating the creation of a gender-equal society by strengthening gender equality centers, women¡Çs centers in Japan by promoting information exchanges and providing programs for management. Their web site contains information on the history of the Council, the outline of their programs and achievements they have made. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Will Aichi (Aichi Women's Center)
¡¡Will Aichi (Aichi Women's Center) was opened in 1996 by Aichi Prefecture as a center to promote a gender-equal society. Their web site introduces their facilities and usage of the center. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
YWACN (Yokohama Women's Association for Communication and Networking)
¡¡The Yokohama Women¡Çs Association for Communication and Networking (YWACN) operates three Gender Equality Centers, which are designated as the focal institutions for gender equality by the City of Yokohama Ordinance for promoting gender equality. YWACN holds a variety of programs in line with the Gender Equality Action Plan of the City and develops new programs in order to accommodate emerging needs. Their site provides information on facilities of the center and English online newsletter. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
YWCA of Japan
¡¡YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) is a global network of women leading social and economic change working to advocate for peace, justice, health, human dignity, freedom and care of the environment. YWCA of Japan was established in 1905 and has worked to protect women¡Çs and children¡Çs right and build peace. Their web site tells their history and reports their activities. Their recent annual reports are also available on the web.
¡¡Their affiliate organizations Tokyo YWCA and Osaka YWCA also have English web sites and briefly introduce their activities. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
3. Feminism, women¡Çs/gender studies
Asia-Japan Women¡Çs Resource Center (AJWRC)
¡¡Asia-Japan Women¡Çs Resource Center (AJWRC) is a Japanese NGO working to end all forms of violence and discrimination against women, toward democratic Japanese society based on respect for human rights and gender equality, and toward a fair and sustainable global society. Their web site provides information on their activities and articles on their biannual English magazine "Voices from Japan". [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Center for Gender Studies, International Christian University
¡¡The Center for Gender Studies at International Christian University was established in 2004 and offers a new communication space to anyone who is interested in the issues of gender and sexuality. Their site provides information on lectures and events by Center for Gender Studies and news from Japan concerning gender and sexuality issues. Their bilingual journal "Gender & Sexuality" and newsletter are also available on the web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Global COE Program Gender Equality and Multicultural Conviviality in the Age of Globalization, Tohoku University
¡¡This program aims to analyze social issues occurring throughout the world and to present solutions by integrating findings from the viewpoints of gender equality and multicultural conviviality. Information on the outline of the Program, a list of projects and details of researchers are provided on their web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Institute for Gender and Women's Studies of Aichi Shukutoku University
¡¡The Institute for Gender and Women's Studies of Aichi Shukutoku University was established in 1994 with the objectives of reevaluating the fixed roles assigned to women and men in society and gathering information on cases of gender-based discrimination worldwide. Their web site contains information on their research activities, newsletter and "Q&A about gender" translated from Japanese. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Institute for Gender Studies, Ochanomizu University
¡¡The Institute for Gender Studies (IGS) was founded in 1996 at Ochanomizu University with an aim to develop academic research and educational activities related to gender studies in Japan. Information on activities of the institution and their publications are provided on the web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Japanese Association of International Women's Rights
¡¡The Japanese Association of International Women's Rights (JAIWR) is a women's NGO established in 1987 with the objective of facilitating the advancement of women through research and dissemination of information on CEDAW. Their activities and programs such as lobbying activities and Ryoko Akamatsu Award are briefly introduced on their English web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Japan NGO Network for CEDAW
¡¡Japan NGO Network for CEDEW (JNNC) is a coalition of Japanese NGO's, which has worked together on the consideration of the 4th and 5th periodic reports of Japan at the 29th Session of CEDAW. The web site provides NGO reports and statements at the CEDAW Pre-Session Working Group. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Japan Society for Sport and Gender Studies
¡¡The Japan Society for Sport and Gender Studies was established in 2002 with the purpose of promoting gender equality in the field of sports in Japan. Their activities include holding seminars and publishing an annual journal. The abstracts of the journal are partly available on their English web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
The Women's Studies Association of Japan
¡¡The Women's Studies Association of Japan was established in order to firmly establish Women's Studies, the inter-disciplinary study of women and of problems related to women, in Japan. Their web site contains information on their activities such as annual symposia and table of contents of their annual Japanese journal ¡ÈWomen¡Çs studies¡É. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
4. Gender equality at universities and institutions
Committee & Office for Gender Equality, the University of Tokyo
¡¡In order to promote ¡ÈGender-Equal Participation Basic Plan for the University of Tokyo¡É (available online), the university set up ¡Èthe Committee for Gender Equality¡É as a center of the enforcement system in 2006. In addition to the details of activities of the Committee and support projects available for female researchers and students, their web site provides brief historical information on female students at the university. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Center for Women Researchers, Kyoto University
¡¡The Center for Women Researchers was established in 2006 to support female researchers and to improve their working environment in Kyoto University. This web site introduces their activities, projects and facilities available for female researchers and students in the university. Their English newsletter is also available on the web. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Gender Equality Office, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
¡¡Supported by the Program of "Supporting Activities for Women Researchers", financed by the Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology and commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Gender Equality Office at Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) has implemented the Encouragement Project for female researchers in FFPRI. Information such as the outline of the project and the current situation of female researchers in FFPRI are available on their web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Gender Equality Promotion Office, Hiroshima University
¡¡The Gender Equality Promotion Office was established in 2008 and engages in concrete efforts to make Hiroshima University an organization where all members are capable of making the most of their individualities and abilities. ¡ÈHiroshima University Gender Equality Declaration¡É and ¡ÈBasic action plan¡É are translated into English and are available on their web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Japanese Association of University Women
¡¡The Japanese Association of University Women (JAUW) was established in 1946 to promote higher education for women and to improve the status of women and girls in Japan.
The outline of their activities, documents of seminars and information on a fellowship program can be found on their web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Keio University : Project for Developing Social Capital and a Good Working Environment for Women Researchers
¡¡By providing female researchers at the life stages of childbirth and child-rearing with extensive connections to their surrounding communities, Project for Developing Social Capital and a Good Working Environment for Women Researchers by Keio University aime to build social capital, and provides support on a university-wide scale so that they can fulfill their roles as both mothers and researchers. The details of the projects -objectives, plans and goals- can be found on their web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Support Office for Female Researchers in Hokkaido University
¡¡The Support Office for Female Researchers in Hokkaido University (FResHU) was established within the framework of Hokkaido University¡Çs policy of gender equality promotion. Their web site provides the outline of the office and its projects. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Support Office for Female Researchers, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
¡¡The Support Office for Female Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University was established to promote "environmental improvement" and "awareness¡É for female researchers and staffs at the university. The details of activities and support programs are available online. This is a three-year project funded by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as ¡ÈSupport Model Activities for Female Researchers". [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
5. Employment
Action Center for working women (ACW2)
¡¡The Action Center for working women (ACW2) is a NGO working to support working women; to ensure access to decent work and wages to all women; to eliminate discrimination and violence against women; and to create a social structure where women are respected and encouraged. The outline of their activities is available on their web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Japan Institute of Workers' Evolution
¡¡Established in 1986, the Japan Institute of Workers¡Ç Evolution has worked to establish good employment relations within companies and improve the welfare of female workers. The English translation of laws and regulations regarding female workers, and papers explaining the situation of Japanese working women are available on their English web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Women and Work Research Center
¡¡The Women and Work Research Center conducts researches and holds seminars for career development with the objectives of increasing role of women at work with increased profits to corporations and realizing of new societal system with smaller families and better work life balance. Their activities are briefly introduced on their English web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Working women's network
¡¡Working Women's Network is a Japanese NGO working to eliminate discrimination against women in the workplace. Their web site provides information on their activities, and reports to CEDAW and ILO. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
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6. Business, economics and development
BPW Japan
¡¡BPW Japan (National Federation of Business and Professional Women¡Çs Club of Japan ) is a NGO working to promote the social position and working standards for women. Their web site contains historical information of the organization. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Japan National Committee for UN Women
¡¡Established as UNIFEM Japan in 1992, Japan National Committee for UN Women is one of the national committees officially recognized by the UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. They have been working to contribute to the international community and the goal of a more gender-equal society. They have changed their name from UNIFEM Women in line with the creation of UN Women in 2010. The details of their activities such as study tours and projects they have supported are provided on their web site. [Accessed 19 Jan. 2012]
7. Violence against women
Digital Museum: the comfort women issue and the Asian Women's Fund
¡¡The Asian Women¡Çs Fund was established in 1995 ¡Èto atone for those women made to be ¡Èianfu (comfort woman)¡É by joint efforts of the government and the people and to tackle the problems of honour and dignity of women in a contemporary world¡É. The Fund finished their activities in 2007. The ¡ÈDigital Museum : the comfort women issue and the Asian Women's Fund¡É was constructed to keep a record of their awareness of the comfort women issue and of their atonement project so that people can learn a lesson from history. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR)
¡¡The International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) is an international non-profit, non-governmental human rights organization devoted to eliminating discrimination and racism. Their activities include combating human trafficking and exploitive migration, and eliminating multiple forms of discrimination such as discrimination against minority women. Their web site provides information on their organization, daily activities and English publications. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Polaris Japan
¡¡Polaris Project is an anti-trafficking organization working to combat human trafficking. With the goal of eliminating human trafficking, they provide services to victims, conducts advocacy, and supports anti-trafficking agencies. Their web site briefly explains about the situation of human trafficking in the world and Japan and provides information on their activities and programs. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
VAWW-NET Japan (Violence Against Women in War-Network Japan)
¡¡VAWW-NET Japan held the International Organizing Committee for the Women's International Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery (Women's Tribunal 2000) took place in Tokyo in December 2000. Their web site provides information on Women's Tribunal 2000 and details of their court case against Nihon Hoso Kyokai (NHK). [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Women's Active Museum on War and Peace(WAM)
¡¡Women's Active Museum on War and Peace was opened in 2005 to preserve all records of the Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery held in 2000 and materials related to ¡Ècomfort women¡É issue, and to make them available to future generations. The details of exhibitions and their publications are available on their web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
8. Social and welfare issues
Fathering Japan
¡¡Fathering Japan was established in 2006 with the aim to promote understanding and acceptance for fathers who want to play an active role in the lives of their children. They consider themselves as a social business company and hold seminars conduct ¡ÈFathering Proficiency Test¡É to increase the awareness of the positive role that fathers can play in their families. The details about their activities can be found on their web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
National Institute of Population and Social Security Research
¡¡The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research was established as a national institution for policy studies under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 1996. Their web site provides a wealth of statistical data on population and social security in Japan. Articles from their web journal are also available on the web. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Otoko mo Onna mo Ikuji Jikan o! Renrakukai (Ikujiren) (Child Care Hours for Men and Women Network)
¡¡Established in 1980, Otoko mo Onna mo Ikuji Jikan o! Renrakukai or Ikujiren for a short (Child Care Hours for Men and Women Network) aims to reduce parents' work hours in order to alleviate the burden placed on day care teachers who work extended hours as well as on children themselves. The outline of the organization and English articles are available online. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Women¡Çs Association for the Better Aging Society (WABAS)
¡¡The Women¡Çs Association for the Better Aging Society (WABAS) was founded in 1983. They have conducted surveys and researches to find out issues in the aged society and from the point of view of women and addressed them to the general public and the government sector. Their web site briefly explains about the organization and introduces Keiko Higuchi, their Representative Secretary General. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
9. Science
Japanese Women Engineers Forum (JWEF)
¡¡The Japanese Women Engineers Forum (JWEF) was established in 1992 to network Japanese women engineers and scientists, improve their living and working environment, and thus, enhance their contribution to society. The outline of the organization and their activities are introduced on their web site. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Society of Japanese Women Scientists
¡¡The Society of Japanese Women Scientists was established in 1958 to encourage mutual support and friendship among Japanese women scientists. They hold seminars, host awards for female scientists and publish an annual journal. Their English web site provides a brief introduction to the organization. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Woman Professional Engineers Society of Japan¡ÊWPESJ¡Ë
¡¡The Woman Professional Engineers Society of Japan started their activities in 1993 to build a network for woman professional engineers and improve technology level and development of special skills among the engineers. Their English web site briefly introduce their organization and activities. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
10. Information resources
Gender Statistics Database [National Women's Education Center of Japan (NWEC)]
¡¡The Gender Statistics Database by NWEC provides 551 statistical tables to show the situation of Japanese women and men in their daily living. It lays emphasis on showing the differences and similarities between women and men. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Historical Statistics of Japan [Statistics Bureau, Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards) and Statistical Research and Training Institute]
¡¡The web site provides historical statistics of Japan covering various fields including land, population, economy, society and culture. The "Gender" section is added to provide objective understanding of the differences and disparities between both sexes, factors causing such differences and the actual situation of this issue. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Japanese Law Translation [Ministry of Justice]
¡¡Japanese Law Translation is a database of Japanese laws translated into English. It is maintained by Ministry of Justice and will be updated regularly. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
Literature Database [National Women's Education Center of Japan (NWEC)]
¡¡The Literature Database is a bibliographical database of the Information Center for Women's Education at NWEC, the largest library specializing in women and family issues in Japan. It contains bibliographic records of books, journals, local governments' publications, articles from Japanese journals and Japanese newspaper clippings in the Center. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
White Papers : Government of Japan [National Diet Library]
¡¡This web page by National Diet Library includes a list of Japanese White Papers translated into English. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2009]
11. Selected bibliographies
Books
¡¡This list introduces some of the recently published books at the Information Center for Women¡Çs Education. For more information, please access our Literature Database.
- Burns, Catherine. Sexual violence and the law in Japan. RoutledgeCurzon, London, 2005.
- Dales, Laura. Feminist movements in contemporary Japan. Routledge, Abingdon, 2009.
- Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. Women and men in Japan 2009. Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, Tokyo, 2009. Also available online at: http://www.gender.go.jp/english_contents/category/pub/pamphlet/women-and-men09/index.html [Accessed 7 Dec., 2009]
- Huber, Kristina Ruth., Sparling, Kathryn. Women in Japanese society : an annotated bibliography of selected English language materials. Greenwood Press, Westport, 1992.
- International women's year liaison group. 2005 NGO Japan women's convention : the 30th anniversary of International women's year liaison group : creating a gender-equal and peaceful society. [International women's year liaison group] , [Tokyo], [2005].
- Iwao, Sumiko., Hara, Hiroko. eds., Blazing a path : Japanese women's contributions to modern science. Japan Echo, [Tokyo], c2008.
- JAWW(Japan women's watch). Japan NGO report 2004 : for Beijing + 10. JAWW(Japan women's watch), Tokyo, 2004.
- Kobayashi, Yoshie. A path toward gender equality : state feminism in Japan. Routledge, New York, 2004.
- Mackie, Vera C.. Feminism in modern Japan : citizenship, embodiment and sexuality. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2003.
- Nakamichi, Hitomi, ed. Women in Japanese fishing communities. Agriculture and Forestry Statistics Publishing, Tokyo, 2009.
- National Women's Education Center of Japan. FY2001¡ÁFY2004 International comparative research on women's learning needs and practices. National Women's Education Center, Saitama, 2004.
- Research committee of gender equality and education in Research institute of democracy and education. Gender statistics "Women and men in Japan". Research institute of democracy and education, Tokyo, 2003.
- Suzuki, Atsuko. Gender and career in Japan. Trans Pacific Press, Melbourne, 2007.
- Tsujimura, Miyoko., Yano, Emi., ed., Gender & law in Japan. Tohoku University Press, Sendai, 2007.
Journals and newsletters specializing in women¡Çs issues
- Asian breeze
¡¡¡¡¡¡Published by Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women, from 1991
¡¡¡¡¡¡Also available online at:
¡¡¡¡¡¡http://www.kfaw.or.jp/asian-breeze.html.en
¡¡¡¡¡¡ [Accessed 7 Dec., 2009]
- Japanese women
¡¡¡¡¡¡Published by The Fusae Ichikawa Memorial Association, from 1958
- U.S.-Japan women's journal. English supplement : a journal for the international exchange of gender studies
¡¡¡¡¡¡Published by Center for Inter-Cultural Studies and Education,
¡¡¡¡¡¡Josai University, from 1991
- Women's Asia 21 : voices from Japan
¡¡¡¡¡¡Published by Asia-Japan Women's Resource Center,from 1995
¡¡¡¡¡¡Also available online at:
¡¡¡¡¡¡http://www.ajwrc.org/eng/modules/myalbum/viewcat.php?cid=1
¡¡¡¡ [Accessed 7 Dec., 2009]
