LAUNCHING OUT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1901, 8 November 1913, Page 11

LAUNCHING OUT.

WOMEN'S STRUGGLE IN JAPAN. The widespread movement for tho advancement of women is making itself felt to no small extent in Japan, states a writor in the New York "Evening Post." The Japanese women, as well as their Western sisters, are struggling to assert thomselves, but their cry is not for political equality with man. That is a consideration far too remote. What they arc attempting to bring about is a betterment of tho social condition of wiomen and a relief, if only to a small extent, from the slavery into which thoy are forced by the present family system of Japan. Thus far but comparatively few of the women of Japan have enlisted in this cause, so foreign is such a proceeding to all Japanese traditions, but tho numbor is growing daily, and the persistent agitation of tho present women's organisations is bound soon to engage the efforts of an increasing number. Among theso societies which give evidence of the awakening interest of the women, the oldest is the Aikoku Fujin Kai. This distinctly conservative organisation has as its members the wives of nobles ana Government officials. It is supported by the Government, and has come to have a semi-official character. Branches have been established in all the provinces of Japan, and in Formosa and Korea. During the late war tho society was active in relief work, and rendered valuable assistance to the

Red Cross Society. In times of peace it aims to support the ancient ideal for the women of Japan, and is, therefore, distinctly retrogressive in its tendencies. "Blue StocUlngS" Prominent. Of the two more progressive societies, probably the better known is the Seito Kai—or Blue Stocking Association. Of this, tho members are all unmarried women, and represent Japan's nearest approach to tho Suffragette type. They are young women of education —many being University graduates. The organisation is U highly aggressive one, and stands in direct contrast with the Aikoku Fujin Kai in its ideals and methods. Its magazine, tho "Seito," is published monthly when not suppressed by the Government, as has frequently been the case. Tne editor-in-chief of the "Seito," Miss Hirazuka, published in May a book ontitled "From t a Round Window," which was a collection of essays and poems about women. The book was promptly suppressed by

tho Government, and never reached'the. public. The attitude of the Government toward such writings is well Bhown in an article written by the present Minister of Education, and published in a popular monthly. Dr. Okuda points out the evil effects of "bad books," that is, books discussing the woman question, and says in conclusion: "I can assure you that nine out of ten women who discuss such a problem are the victims of the cruel influence of vanity. Even men, who have generally stronger minds than women, are apt to succumb to bad teachings. Therefore, naturally, women, being tho weaker, will soon become victims of unhealthy thoughts. . . . Most of the 'bad books' come from unhealthy families, which have probably been affected by unhealthy ideas."

In the face of such severe Government opposition, the progress of the women's organisations is slow. Their work, however, is supplemented by that of the "Taiyo," a monthly magazine for women, edited by men. "Truly New Women" Progressives, _ A second so-called "progressive" society is the Shin-Shin Fujin Kai, or Society of tho Truly New Women. This organisation .ontams a mixture of the elements found in the two other societies already mentioned. Its membership is entirely of married women, and the society is somewhat religious in its Character. Because of its youth—it was organised but six months ago—and its small membership, it has not yet reached a stage of great importance, but it bids fair to accomplish more in time for the causo of women than either the conservative Aikoku Fujin Kai or the aggressive Leito Kai. Its work conf.nes itself to tho home and deals with practical problems.

There exists also the Fujin Kyofu Kai, which is a branch of thß W.C.T.TJ. This society has, succeeded in bringing about some practical reforms, principally that oi prohibiting smoking in certain tram-cars. It has endeavoured to accomplish some reforms of the divorce laws, which are bo unfavourable to women, hut has not yet been sue-, c«ssful. In no, other country does th'e i problem of the women present such difficulties as in Japan, ana tho struggle for social equality seema at present to be a wellmgh hopeless cause. The Emperor worship and the "family system" of Japan are inseparable, and tho position of women cannot be appreciably improved so long' as tho present system of government continues. Obedience to the head of tho family is the highest virtue, and any departuro from this, idoal is disloyalty to tho Emperor and to tho entire social system of the country. The ideal of the Kenbo Ilyosai (good wifo and wise mother) is tho basis of tho education of women, both in the family and in the Government schools. But the 6codo of her wisdom is rigidly re-

stricted to the "Three Obedienocs" —to father, to husband, and to eldest son. Although it is truo that women are being employed to an increasing extent in Japan, yet in praetioally no work except tnat of teacher or stenographer is a woman paid enough for her support. A Hopeless Outlook. The result of this is the alarming increase in tire number of geisha, which tho statistics of tho last ten years show. This is a natural result in a country whose national religion embraces no moral code. Such a result of education stands as the strongest argument of those opposed to tho education of women in Japan, and is the causo of the reaction against it which now prevails. So long as the present Government system exists there can, it is said, bo no appreciable improvement of present conditions. But the women of Japan must bo prepared for the change of Apolitical and social conditions which is bound to come within the next few years. The woman of this generation will probably have to suffer for tie happiness and good of tho nest.