March 9, 2022

On March 8, the day marking International Women’s Day, Japanese women took part in rallies and other actions to protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to join hands with all women around the globe to work for peace and gender equality.

In Tokyo, members of the International Women’s Day Central Rally organizing committee consisting of various organizations, such as trade unions and women’s groups, took to the streets near Ochanomizu Station to raise public support for their demand for putting a stop to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and eliminating the gender wage gap.

Organizing committee chair and Japan Federation of Women’s Organizations (Fudanren) President Shibata Masako using a microphone said, “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine violates the UN Charter. Let us gather peace-seeking women together to press Russia to stop its military operations!” She also stressed the need to strengthen public opposition to the use of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine to discuss a revision of the pacifist Constitution and the introduction of a “nuclear sharing” program in Japan.

National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) women’s section chief Funabashi Hatsue appealed for the need to increase minimum hourly wages in order to reduce the wage difference between men and women which is regarded as an underlying factor in maintaining gender inequality.

New Japan Women's Association (Shinfujin) activist Yuigahama Naoko criticized Russian President Putin for suggesting that he would use nuclear weapons, and said that what Japan should do now is to defend the war-renouncing Article 9, ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and take the lead in global efforts to abolish nuclear arms.

Later on the day, at the International Women’s Day Central Rally which was held online due to the pandemic, participants adopted a special resolution urging Russia to withdraw from Ukraine. They also adopted an appeal calling on the Japanese government to ratify the TPNW. The appeal also calls for using the July Upper House election as an opportunity to establish a government that will defend and make the best use of the Constitution

In the gathering, along with messages from women groups outside Japan, messages from Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo and other opposition lawmakers were introduced.

Shii in his message condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and wrote, “Let us strengthen international opinion and women’s movements, and press Russia to stop its outrageous acts.”

Shii expressed his determination to achieve a major JCP advance in the July House of Councilors election. He also wrote the JCP will work hard to build a “compassionate and strong economy” and a gender-equal society by departing from the current “cold-hearted society” which imposes “self-responsibility” on the general public.