AJWRC (Asia Japan Women’s Resource Center)

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AJWRC (Asia Japan Women’s Resource Center) was founded in 1994 as a non-governmental organization. They aim to end gender-based violence and discrimination, which have been a significant threat to society for centuries. Yayori Matsui, a Japanese journalist and women’s rights activist, founded the campaign. She published articles and books that are mostly centered around sex tourism in Asia.

After retiring from the Asahi Shimbun in 1994, the AJWRC became a home base for further developing her work as a feminist and international journalist. In 1998, she organized the Violence Against Women in War Network, Japan (VAWW-NET Japan) (currently known as the Violence Against Women in War Research Action Center [VAWW RAC]), and in 2000, proposed the “Women’s International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan’s Military Sexual Slavery” as a final reckoning to end a century of war and violence. With cooperation from women in Japan and around the world, the Tribunal became a reality.

Over the years, the AJWRC has adapted to modern Japanese society and new risks that have emerged. Violence against women has been and is still such a pressing issue. For this reason, it is essential to address the causes and effects of these harms to protect women in society.

How did AJWRC come about? (Asia Japan Women’s Resource Center)

The AJWRC was preceded by an organization called the Asian Women’s Association, which was founded in 1977. It was developed by Japanese women who protested against the sex tours of Japanese men to neighboring countries. AWA actively supported political prisoners in Asia and development aid. In 1980, they began participating in rallies against prostitution tourism and demonstrations for women who would not allow a path to war.

AJWR’s aim was to expand these efforts to gain justice for sexual violence victims by working with these survivors and advocating for government accountability. Since then, the AJWRC has actively advocated for women’s rights and social justice across a wide range of issues. It works closely with sister organizations, as well as other women’s groups and civil groups in Japan and abroad.

What does the organization entail?

AJWRC examines legal and political institutions, history, education, and technology through a feminist lens in order to end gender discrimination. They do this through

sources such as social media to create campaigns and articles, letting victims’ voices be heard and spreading awareness of gender inequality. Individuals can sign up for a membership for around $60 per year.

This membership includes publications, meeting access, discounted tickets for seminars and tours, and access to event networks. Half of AJWRC’s operations are funded by these membership fees, a third are from publication sales, and the rest are from ticket sales and donations. The volume of contributions is evident in their hosting of over 300 events, publishing over 200 magazines and journals, and sharing over 1,000 news articles since 1995.

Why is the organization important?

Despite the passing of wars, we still face a large volume of violence and injustice today. The frequent male-based policies have led to an increase in poverty and inequality. One group that is frequently victimized through violence is women. In 2015, government statistics reported that 1 in 4 Japanese women suffered abuse by their spouse.

Domestic abuse can come in myriad forms: physical abuse, financial abuse, psychological abuse, and verbal abuse. Consequently, this can cause long-term effects such as depression, eating disorders, and anxiety. For this reason, transnational feminist movements challenge social structures that lead to this suppression. While gendered violence is an essential focus, it is also effective to look at other factors that link to this discrimination.

Japan ranks low in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index. This highlights the persistently low status of women in the workforce and politics. Although women have increased their presence in the workforce, career and wage progression remain limited. Similarly, this inequality in power leads to myriad cases of sexual harassment within the workplace. Consequently, this reflects on other structures such as the family, where women can be degraded and subjected to domestic abuse.

This emphasizes the campaign's significance, as it focuses on these root causes of gender discrimination to tackle the issue. Campaigns such as AJWRC are essential as they challenge patriarchal ideologies and policies that are harmful and do not protect women in society.

Future direction

AJWRC has made astounding efforts and progress in raising awareness of gender inequality through their active promotion of women’s rights. However, discrimination is still a relevant issue in Japan, so what more can be done to eradicate this harm against women?

Japan should put more effort into refining and strengthening anti-discrimination laws, closing the gender gap, changing patriarchal attitudes, and ending sexual harassment in the workplace. Schools can facilitate these changes. Schools can do this by using inclusive language, adopting a curriculum that challenges stereotypes, and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for harassment.

This helps the school system become a gender-discrimination-free safe space. Additionally, this prepares young people for the workplace and can give women the aspiration and confidence to aim for high positions, rather than letting society reduce them.

Japan has no laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or age. Therefore, to create a more inclusive and safer country, there should be legislation to outlaw discrimination. Without this change, Japan will continue to have major gaps that contribute to the disregard of human rights.

For further legal changes, Japan should focus more on reducing workplace inequality. This should include zero tolerance for harassment, as well as equal opportunity to progress in wages and positions. The Equal Employment Opportunity Act exists to ensure equal opportunity and treatment between men and women in employment. However, one criticism of this act is that it is based purely on ‘endeavor ‘ and uses non-binding language rather than legally prohibiting discrimination. This does not completely guarantee a discrimination-free workplace, which is why it suggests a need for stronger enforcement.

AJWRC has been effective in promoting the elimination of discrimination and inequality against women. Despite a need for further action on the structure of Japan’s law system and institutions, this campaign has made sufficient progress by removing the invisibility of male-based violence. Fighting gender-based violence has created empowerment for feminists across Asia and given women a voice.

Violence against women is everyone’s business. Here are some ways you can contribute to putting an end to gender-based violence and discrimination.

Donations

If you can, even small donations can make a big difference for charities and organizations supporting victims. These donations contribute towards emergency housing for women aiming to escape their abuser, basic essentials such as clothes and toiletries, and to keep crisis lines running 24/7 so people can access help immediately. Some charities that would appreciate donations include TELL Japan and Women's Net Saya-Saya.

Speak -up

Whatever your gender, if you are surrounded by sexist or misogynistic comments, speak up if safe to do so. Not only does this make the victims feel less isolated, but it gives the other person a chance to learn and acknowledge that their treatment is unacceptable.

Listen

Victims of violence need to be provided a safe space where they can talk freely about their experience. This means not questioning them, but acknowledging their abuse and making them feel seen. So many women have been silenced by their abuser and, unfortunately, the Criminal Justice System. Consequently, if more people can reduce victims' shame by letting them speak up, more individuals may feel comfortable opening up.

Learn the signs of abuse

If someone close to you is being abused, it is common for them to stay silent. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of any sign of abuse.

Here are some websites that can help educate you on what to look out for if you are concerned someone close to you may be in danger.

Educate yourself

One effective way to make society a safe, discrimination-free place is through education outside the school system. Multiple seminars, talks, and other accessible online sources offer insight into the causes and effects of gender inequality. If you are interested in attending a seminar, for example, universities such as Ochanomizu University and the University of Tokyo often host them. After educating yourself, do not stop there: use your knowledge to educate those around you.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any form of abuse, don’t ever suffer in silence. Here are some links available to access support: