Beyond Womenomics: Women’s Activism and Civil Society in Japan

Since 3.11, there has been a resurgence of political activism, especially among women. Activists, NPOs (non-profit organizations), NGOs (non-governmental organizations), and voluntary organizations help women manage needs related to the disasters and prolonged relocation. These organizations provide services and create spaces for women’s empowerment and care. Yet by finding solutions outside of the political system, the gap between civil society—where women are active and engaged—and Japan’s political institutions has deepened, further marginalizing women from the political process. For women to become equal members of Japan’s democratic community, Japan must go beyond womenomics and focus on women at the grassroots. How have recent changes to the political landscape impacted women’s equality in Japan, and what are the implications for Japanese democracy?

Linda Hasunuma is Assistant Professor of Government at Franklin and Marshall College and teaches courses on Comparative, International, Gender, and East Asian Politics as well as a senior seminar on post-war Japanese politics and society. Professor Hasunuma earned her Ph.D. in Comparative Politics at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2010. Her dissertation analyzed the causes and effects of Japan’s decentralization reforms; her new research draws upon interdisciplinary perspectives to study gender politics in Japan and South Korea.