02. From Japan: May 2009 Archives

Atsuko YASUOKA
Director, NPO Support House NENRIN
【The article below is the same as the article that appears in the 11th issue of the CGS Newsletter.】

"Baumkuchen," the precursor of Support House NENRIN, was formed by participants of a course hosted by the community center in former Tanashi city in 1978. Through this one-year course, I learned that women's education and social norms were determined by the needs of the business world. While all of the course participants were full-time housewives, we began to realize the vulnerability of our positions, and so began to create our own worlds. Then in 1985, having acquired a day service job at a local elder care centre, I was to learn the social situation in which care work is placed.

Kazuyoshi KAWASAKA
Graduate student, ICU

【The article below is the same as the article that appears in the 11
th issue of the CGS Newsletter.】

The first conference of the Japan Association for Queer Studies (JAQS), was held at Hiroshima Shudo University on November 8th and 9th, 2008. Despite the last minute notice of absence of one of the symposiasts, the conference was a success with many participants from diverse backgrounds. I was happy with the number of participants, the level of intellectual interaction that took place, as well as the exchange among scholars, students and activists. In this report, however, I would like to put aside the temptation and talk about the problems that were hard to see but surely existed at the conference.

Makiko ISERI
Graduate Student, Hitotsubashi University

【The article below is the same as the article that appears in the 11th issue of the CGS Newsletter.】

The Rainbow March in Sapporo brought together Hokkaido locals and people from all over the country and beyond under a beautiful sunny sky. I went there because I had heard many good things about it and knew that the Tokyo Pride Parade had been postponed this year. And I'm glad I decided to go; the event was full of smiles and energy, and there was no excessive police or public intervention so the whole walk was fun and empowering.

Michiko SAKAI
Undergraduate student, ICU

【The article below is the same as the article that appears in the 11th issue of the CGS Newsletter.】

After giving birth to my daughter in December 2007, I planned to return to ICU in April with the hope of entrusting my child to the proposed ICU childcare center. However, this childcare center was never established, and I was forced to abandon these plans. Critics may say that the idea of going to school while raising a child may have been too hopeful. I feel this myself more than anyone. Nevertheless, I feel overjoyed in being blessed with a daughter. Without question, I believe I made the right choice by giving birth to her.

ICU Graduate

【The article below is the same as the article that appears in the ???th issue of the CGS Newsletter.】

After giving birth in late 2007, I returned to my job eight weeks later for several reasons. Here, I will record my personal opinions and thoughts on labor and childcare.

Ken'ichi ISHIKAWA
ICU graduate

【The article below is the same as the article that appears in the 11th issue of the CGS Newsletter.】

A man who wants to actively take part in child rearing.
A woman who wants to continue working after giving birth.
A company that wants to protect and secure