7. Building Peace by Rebuilding Community Through Women in Japan

Japan ranked 101th out of 135 countries in the Gender Gap Index in 2012 and the participation of Japanese women in politics and economy is low. It is necessary to change the working conditions of both men and women and to educate young people and children about gender equality and on building peace at school and communities through media and peace museums. Although the political and economic position of Japanese women is low, they have contributed to rebuilding community at the grassroots level to build peace. Several women’s organizations try to improve the life of women and children and build peace such as the Japan Federation of Women’s Organizations, the New Japan Women’s Association and Mothers’ organizations. These women have worked hard on nuclear weapons, nuclear energy, human rights, the environment and sustainable development in cooperation with women in other countries. The successful opposition against the construction of nuclear power plants in Kochi shows that it is important to educate citizens, especially women, and that they can make a great change for building peace by rebuilding the community.