The changing role of women in Japanese history - Research Paper Example

The changing role of women in Japanese history The manner in which women are depicted in the Japanese contemporary society is very different from the previous centuries. Since time immemorial women had no place in the society and were only allowed to perfect themselves in ‘kitchen matters’. In the public and formal arenas, women had no whatsoever place in the Japanese society. According to Gail (pp.25), women were entitled to stay in their homes and exclusively act as mere caregivers to their children and husbands. In short, this brings out the fact that men had a strong and very influential position over women in the previous times. However, the depiction of women being weak and senseless in the society is slowly changing, and will soon not be a discussion topic but a convincing occurrence. This essay will undertake an initiative to scrutinize the changing woman in the Japanese society and the factors behind the sudden change. Koyama (pp.56) indicates that the Japanese woman is no longer the pale skinned, quiet and submissive woman. Majority of the women in the Japanese society today lack the nature of being too accommodating and obedient to the impositions on them. Studies indicate that these women are on the verge of making own decisions despite the forces behind their oppositions. In the previous centuries, specifically the Edo period, women were an oppressed lot in relation to the Confucian thoughts. Inheritance of property, land ownership or taking part in politics was forbidden in the Japanese society. Women were not allowed to attend schools for fear of their ability to rule the society. In this society, women were allowed to read books in ‘kana’ so that they would not have a leeway to success. Over the years the women in the Japanese culture were not allowed to take part in war. However, that role is slowly changing and a number of women have come up to challenge that perception. Among the notable examples include, Nakano Takeko from the Aizu clan of the Japanese. This woman is remembered for her ability to lead the women’s army at a time when women were forbidden to take part in any form of war. The driving force towards Nakano taking part in the war was to instill brevity among women that would assist them in the absence of the males in the society. Nakano set an example to many other women by undergoing training in martial arts and even setting up a training school. With this, it is justified to argue that women roles in Japan began taking a new turn from the example of Nakano. Women in Japan are taking part in commercial sector, a task that was previously destined for the males. Labor provided by women is seemingly the backbone of Japanese society. Studies indicate that Japan can hardly do without women labor. Women have been praised for their ability to improve Japan’s economy on a short period of time through taking part in various sectors of the economy like textile industries and other factories. Sumie (pp.9) indicates that Japan’s industrial labor force accounted for over 60% of the entire population. In light to this argument, it is justified to argue that women roles in Japan have revolutionized. After World War II, women roles in Japan changed completely. Women were left to take charge of their families whilst the men were incorporated into the armies to fight in the war. It is at this point that women were subjected to all manners of hardships in form of jobs in order, to feed their children. Upon the return of their husbands, the society in Japan had experience a massive reverse of roles. This war marked a total restructuring of women’s role s in the society who in turn could not bring to a standstill their new jobs since they husbands had returned. With time, the society learnt how to deal with the new structures and change of roles in the society. Previously, women in Japan were forced to marry and perfect their wife skills and a very tender age. In today’s society, women are seen to take their time before getting into marriage. After World War II, many women were conditioned towards an individualistic form of lifestyle. Gail (pp.75) indicates that the modern Japanese has no priority for early or compulsory marriage, instead spend their time on vacations; others aim at filling their bank accounts. Today, women are allowed to undergo maternity leaves and return to work, an occurrence that was impossible in the earlier centuries. The modern woman is becoming more enlightened and aggressive, all in quest to make their lives better with no form of oppression from the males. Another form of change in the roles of women in the Japanese society relates to the changes in the employment patterns of women. From the earlier subjection to housework to working until the late stages of life, is the new turn of the Japanese woman. Upon retirement is when the modern Japanese woman thinks of being a house wife. Fukuzawa (pp.91) indicates that the number of women working in Japan is doubling as the years progress. Women no longer work in the industries unlike before but secure themselves white collar jobs for survival like in Nikkyoso, the Teachers Union. In deed, the Japanese woman has evolved to a better individual in the society. Women are also taking part in politics and governance unlike preceding ages. They are allowed to vote for candidates that they feel can take care of their political needs and wishes. Though, women have not entirely focused on voting for a woman for the top seat, we are interested in the fact that this woman has become revolutionized and free to make own decisions. In fact, most politicians in Japan believe in the fact that if they woe women, they are likely to hold positions of power for a very long time (Eileen pp.236). Conclusively, from the above discussions, it is evident that the roles of women have tremendously changed in Japan. With time, it is foretold that Japanese women will hold public offices and possibly change Japan for the better. The polite, naïve and extra careful Japan woman has shifted fro being a subject to oppression but a go getter and change agent in the society. Works cited Eileen, Carlberg, "Women in the Political System", in Joyce Lebra, ed., Women in Changing Japan. Stanford: Stanford University Press.2006. Fukuzawa, Yukichi. On Japanese Women. Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press. 2008. Gail, Bernstein, ed. Recreating Japanese Women, 1600-1945., University of California Press. 2001. Koyama, Takashi. The Changing Social Positions of Women in Japan. Geneva: UNESCO. 2001. Sumie, Mishima. The Broader Way: A Womens Life in the New Japan. Westport: Greenwood Press. 2007. Read More