~ c r u s h e n ~: September 2006

Tough Choices for Japanese Women
[Analysis] Career and freedom, or childbirth and tradition?
Lily Yulianti (myfawwaz) - Published 2006-09-07 13:09 (KST)

Some railway companies in Japan provide so-called "women only" cars during morning rush hour in order to provide a service for female passengers. I sometimes joke that the pink "women only" sign on the train is also a symbol of a strong patriarchal system in Japanese society, where issues such as nurturing and raising children is still a "women only" issue with limited involvement from male partners.

If a Japanese woman decides to marry and have children, it is her business "only" to later juggle with domestic duties and finally be forced to leave a career. Much research has examined how women in Japan find it difficult to combine their traditional roles and modern freedoms. It happens to school dropouts as well as to ordinary women and royal family members.

And as the news of Princess Kiko giving birth to a baby boy on Wednesday, Sept. 6, spread around the world, I again recalled the "women only" sign.

Giving birth to a baby boy is perhaps one of the proudest moments in Princess Kiko's life, because the baby is the first son for the monarchy in the last 41 years. In contrast, not giving a baby boy to the royal family was cited as the cause of serious depression for Crown Princess Masako.

Meanwhile, on television talk shows, experts debate the 1947 Imperial House Law which prevents female monarchs from ascending the throne. Many speculate that the birth of a son will stall debate to revise the law. Others suggest that the law still needs to be carefully revised to consider gender-equality.

The present excitement over the birth of Princess Kiko's son has emphasized how much Japanese society is still highly influenced by patriarchal values.

On television there are around the clock live-reports. Everyone from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, down to ordinary people on the streets expressed their joy, saying that it was a good news to know that Princess Kiko has given birth to a baby boy.

I imagined what Japanese people would say if Princess Kiko's third children had been a baby girl. Perhaps the joy would not have been the same. It is understandable, as the monarchy has been waiting for 41 years to have a new male member. But, does society also understand the heavy burden carried by women, in order to meet the expectations of this highly-patriarchal society?

A week before Princess Kiko gave birth, there were also hot debates about women's role in the imperial family. I observed some Japanese bloggers who expressed their support for Crown Princess Masako, a bright and smart former diplomat who married into the royal family.

Princess Masako, the wife of Crown Prince Naruhito, has suffered from serious depression in recent years due to her royal duties. It is publicly cited that the crown princess is suffering from a stress-related illness, partly due to the pressure to produce a male heir.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess have a 4-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, but the male-only succession rules in the current Japanese Constitution prevent the little girl from ascending the throne.

"If I had a chance to talk to Princess Masako I would say that women are not baby-making machines. Women should enjoy life and be proud of themselves, they should not be subjugated with all this unfair burden, such as giving birth and raising children," says a blogger.

Another blogger writes, "I observed how happy Princess Masako was with her wide smile on her recent visit to the Netherlands. The holiday pictures proved that the princess is suffering serious depression in Japan, and looked much happier in overseas. This is because of the burden in the monarchy system... A similar burden also exists for all Japanese women, in general."

For those who are interested in the Japanese imperial family, Crown Princess Masako and Princess Kiko have been constantly compared to each other. Masako is a symbol of modernity and an independent figure who is reportedly under stress due to her royal duties. Meanwhile Kiko is the perfect model of traditional womanhood who fully understands the role of a female royal family member.

Many Japanese women refer to Masako as a good example of how difficult it is to perform traditional roles and give up their careers and freedom. Nowadays, it is common to hear Japanese women saying that sacrificing career, freedom, and success for childbirth is a tough choice. "Princess Masako made that decision, and we see how under stress she is...," says a friend.

Another female friend who just gave a birth last week said that her professor did not support her decision to have children, citing that such a decision will hamper her career and doctorate program in the university.

As most Japanese greeted the new son in the royal family, I recalled the "women only" sign on the trains and realized that in the country with the one of the lowest birth rates in the world (1.29 per women in 2005), many women are as proud as Princess Kiko in performing their family duties, but more women may identify with Crown Princess Masako.

[from ohmynews.com]