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agitprop66 t1_ixvccim wrote

I’ve been reading a lot of Japanese fiction, mostly by women, and Convenience Store Woman is emblematic of a theme of severely broken/damaged women that runs through many novels. Earthlings is representative of a common theme of sexual violence and deviation. I don’t know if these are reflective of the society at large, but I’m beginning to wonder. I thought the US had a poor view of women but Japan may be worse.

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Tea_4_thee t1_ixvgsdn wrote

Japan is socially conservative especially in regards to gender roles. The world economic forum ranked Japan 120th (out of 156 countries) in gender equality. Sexual assault is also a big problem in Japan, it’s prevalent enough that they have women only train cars because sexual assault on the subways was so rampant.

Based on what I’ve read on the topic, Japanese youth are rejecting a lot of the traditional values that have been prevalent in Japanese society. I think that’s why so much Japanese fiction has started to question these ideals.

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Amy14here t1_iy1ei5r wrote

All societies are oppressive to women in one way or the other. I understand your comment was based on a specific concern which is valid but I think not every country has to be compared to the US and portrayed as far worse. I absolutely agree that Japan is a very traditional society with certain gender based roles still negatively impacting the lives of Japanese women but I think for a society to go from war obsessed jingoists to one that prefers peace and mutual coexistence in a single generation is an achievement. Americans have not achieved the same. In my opinion, like you said, the youth of Japan is actively shunning the more sexist aspects of their culture which is a great thing.

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