The annual convention of the Women's Studies Association of Japan (June 11-12, 2005) opened with a symposium at Yokohama National University on "Feminism and War - Women advancing from the home front to the battle line?!"
The panelists and co-ordinator were young, energetic researchers and participants were mainly WSAJ members from a range of fields. Reports detailed the current reality of women directly involved in war and military activities. Once present only on the home front (with the exception of 'comfort women' and nurses), women have now 'advanced' to the battle lines as soldiers on an equal footing with men, forcing us to consider the implications of their participation in organized state violence.
The lively debate which ensued focused on questions from a gender perspective regarding the necessity of state force for the protection of its citizens (particularly the issue of police intervention in domestic violence cases) as opposed to that which is exercised for national security. In my opinion, the two issues are on an entirely different footing, but I also felt that both need to be addressed with equal consideration.
ICU student : Ikumi Kaneko