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theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)
Sat Jun 21, 2014, 08:59 AM Jun 2014

Tokyo assemblywoman heckled by male colleagues during women's rights speech

Tokyo assemblywoman heckled by male colleagues during women's rights speech
Big News Network (UPI)
Saturday 21st June, 2014

TOKYO -- In Japan, where sexism in the workplace is common, an assemblywoman was heckled by her colleagues while delivering a speech on the need for more services for women.

Your Party member Ayaka Shiomura was speaking in the assembly on Wednesday, addressing the lack of government understanding and public support for women and mothers. In one example, she cited a regulation requiring mothers to fold strollers before boarding trains.

At least two male colleagues, one identified as a member of the ruling LDP, shouted sexist remarks, telling her, "You should get married!" and asking, "Can you even bear a child?"

Shiomura finished her speech and later posted on Facebook that the sexist remarks shouted by her fellow assemblymen was like "a punch in the gut." - See more at: http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php/sid/223100577#sthash.hlJArX69.dpuf
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Tokyo assemblywoman heckled by male colleagues during women's rights speech (Original Post) theHandpuppet Jun 2014 OP
Another article on this incident theHandpuppet Jun 2014 #1
My husband works for a Japanese company & visits frequently.. whathehell Jun 2014 #2
What kind of apology is THIS??!!! theHandpuppet Jun 2014 #3

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)
1. Another article on this incident
Sat Jun 21, 2014, 09:02 AM
Jun 2014
Tokyo Politician Ayaka Shiomura Stands Up For Women's Rights, Is Ridiculed By Male Colleagues
By Lauren Barbato

On Thursday, Tokyo Assemblywoman Ayaka Shiomura was just going about her day, which included advocating for support for child-rearing Japanese women. Unfortunately, during her speech, Japanese politicians attacked Ayaka Shiomura with sexist jeers, mocking her unmarried status and reducing her to tears. Regardless, Shiomura bravely went on with her speech, calling for more female-friendly policies — and ultimately, sticking it to her horrible, terrible, no good male colleagues.

According to Japanese newspaper The Sun Daily, members of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party led the verbal attack against 35-year-old Shiomura. Several assembly members interrupted her speech with taunts: “Why don’t you get married?” and ”Are you not able to have a baby?”

The jeers reportedly came from the male leading members of the LDP, though a spokesperson for the party said they’re still investigating the incident. Shiomura is from Your Party, a center-right opposition party. The LDP is generally compared to the Republican Party in the United States; they don’t support working women, instead advocating for them to stay at home.

Shiomura was understandably angry at the disrespect of her male colleagues, later telling reporters: ”They should not shout things that have nothing to do with policies. Jeers like that degrade a person and amount to abuse.”

MORE at http://www.bustle.com/articles/28713-tokyo-politician-ayaka-shiomura-stands-up-for-womens-rights-is-ridiculed-by-male-colleagues

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)
3. What kind of apology is THIS??!!!
Mon Jun 23, 2014, 06:39 PM
Jun 2014
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27971062
BBC News
23 June 2014
Japan lawmaker admits to sexist remark

(excerpt)
'Lacking in concern'

The 51-year-old bowed in apology to Ms Shiomura in front of reporters at Tokyo's city hall on Monday.

He also told reporters: "I did not make these remarks out of any intention to insult lawmaker Shiomura.

"I recognise that there are women who want to get married and can't, and those who want to have children and can't. My comments were lacking in concern towards people like that.

"I deeply apologise for and regret that a comment I made set off such a huge fuss," he added.

MORE at link posted above.
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