Japan Press Weekly

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2013 October 30 - November 5 [WOMEN]

Women NGO Shinfujin resolves to fight against Abe’s militaristic policies

The New Japan Women’s Association (Shinfujin) held its 26th national convention in Tokyo on November 2 and 3, strengthening its resolve to thwart the Abe government’s intention to turn Japan into a war-fighting nation.

Shinfujin Chair Kasai Kimiyo stressed in her opening speech that the Abe Cabinet is increasingly running against the people’s will by going ahead with a state secrets protection bill, cutting social security programs, pushing the sale of Japanese-made nuclear reactors abroad, and participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations. “This is where the Shinfujin comes into call for reason. Let’s play our role as an organization to realize women’s demands, and work to further develop cooperation with individuals and other civil groups,” she said.

Japanese Communist Party Acting Secretariat Head Yamashita Yoshiki made an address as a guest. He stated that the reason why the Shinfujin has expanded its influence in various fields for more than half a century is that its main purposes, such as its opposition to nuclear war, protection of the pacifist Japanese Constitution, and improvement of women’s lives and rights, directly reflect women’s demands.

One of the main subjects of this convention was how future generations will carry on Shinfujin’s rich experiences. At the plenary meeting, many young members appeared on the stage carrying banners or tapestries with slogans written on them, and they spoke one after another about their local activities. A participant from Nara Prefecture said that they plan to stage a demonstration with mothers pushing baby strollers to demand free medical service for children. Another woman from Mie Prefecture said, “We launched a ‘learning at a cafe’ campaign and participants have been thrilled by taking action voluntarily.”

The convention adopted a resolution seeking the defense of the Constitution, improvement of living conditions, peace, and gender equality, along with a special resolution calling for the cancellation of the state secrets protection bill. It also elected its leadership, and Kasai was re-elected as chairperson.