This was one of the books I used for my thesis when I was looking at the impact that American women and American concepts of feminism had on the Japanese during the time of occupation after WWII. This book showed how a lot of the impacts that American concepts had on Japan were very negative when it came to the lives of everyday people due to nothing really being followed through. Even after occupation these negative impacts continued. This book was very insightful on how American concepts can impact others who are not culturally prepared and how detailed plans are needed to help the general populace adapt to rapid changes. It also shows how many times America thinks it's better then everyone else when they really aren't. One example of this that stood out to me was the sections on VD. The US had gotten rid of prostitution because of how evil they thought it was and its supposed links to VD. Japan had legalized and illegal prostitution and yet their percentage of VD was much lower the the US's and it was actually allied servicemen that were bringing in VD to the Japanese. In the case of prostitution it was that allied powers that were the issue. This shows how the US government was quick to point fingers at everyone except themselves and their fight for power over something did more harm then good.
Sarah Kovner is one of the major names in research on Japan. Most of her works focus on issues around womanhood and power struggles. If you are interested on learning deeper cultural competency on the Japanese, Sarah Kovner is one of the people that you need to read her works.
______________________________________________________________
-Biracial children were unwanted and dark-skinned children were the target of discrimination. (70)
- The Punishment of Prostitution and Related Activities Bill of 1948 "did not provide for rehabilitation, either through the court system or through welfare institutions." (104)
-One Japanese researcher at the time found what rehab facilities were running turned women into bond servants where they did piece work and got no money while the people running them got "exorbitant salaries". (111)
-112, religion played into these changes including Christianity.
-116, this part of the book talked about how peer pressure and outside of the country influence played a role. Japan was wanting to become a UN member and it was thought that getting rid of prostitution would make them look better.
-The law "mandated that each prefecture set up a women's consultation office" (to provide resources and job training) but only 8 of 42 did. (137) This shows how no real support was given to women when their jobs was taken away.
-One group of boys (young kids) were arrested for gang-raping eight girls and they said they did it because the Prostitution Prevention Law stopped them from being able to meet their sexual desires. (138) This shows how taking this outlet became a danger to women.
______________________________________________________________
Top Picture From: https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=21270
No comments:
Post a Comment