Shinfujin determined to further develop women’s movement

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Shinfujin determined to further develop women’s movement

The New Japan Women’s Association (Shinfujin) held its 24th assembly on November 14 and 15 in Chiba City and confirmed that it will further develop grassroots efforts to realize women’s demands under the new political situation brought about by the end of the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties’ government.

Shinfujin Chair Takada Kimiko stated that now is the chance for women to realize their demands and called on about 1,000 participants to make the assembly a springboard to pass a strong Shinfujin movement on to the next generations.

Various grassroots activities were reported. A representative of Gunma Prefecture introduced the effort made by a Shinfujin branch that has pushed a local municipality to provide free medical care for children until they finish junior high school.

Many participants reported on their efforts to collect signatures “For a Nuclear-Free World.” In Tochigi Prefecture, a local municipality accepted a Shinfujin branch request to cooperate with the international signature campaign. A municipality in Shizuoka Prefecture allowed Shinfujin members to use public facilities to collect signatures, and the city mayor added his signature. A local branch in Chiba Prefecture conducted a signature campaign in front of a vaccination center after listening to a member’s atomic-bomb survival experience.

The assembly adopted two special resolutions: for the swift closure of the U.S. Futenma base and the halt to the planned construction of a new base in Okinawa; and for the promotion of public childcare services.

- Akahata November 15 and 16, 2009