Catherine Makino, Author at Women's eNews

In Japan, More Women Report Domestic Crimes

By Catherine Makino ● Uncategorized ● August 14, 2009

The latest data from Japan’s national police find a 20 percent jump in the number of women reporting domestic violence. But advocates say there is a long way to go in a country that only criminalized family violence in 2001.

Rape Victim Presses Case of Police Abuse in Japan

By Catherine Makino ● Arts & Culture ● January 2, 2009

In Japan, rape is often kept hush-hush. But the high-profile case of one rape victim is challenging the silent treatment and raising questions about police practices. ‘Jane,’ as the victim is known, is suing police who required her to re-enact the crime.

Japan’s Contrite Husbands Rush to Marriage Rescue

By Catherine Makino ● Politics ● February 4, 2007

Some husbands in Japan are banding together to help each other change their marital habits, keep their wives and curtail the national decline in marriage rates. The group’s founder says he saved his own marriage by learning to take out the garbage.

Tokyo’s Anime Cafes Serve Gender-Role Fantasies

By Catherine Makino ● Arts & Culture ● July 12, 2006

Tokyo’s campy his-and-her cafes–inspired by the multi-billion-dollar high-tech fantasy culture of anime–are all the rage. At new “butler” cafes, deferential men serve tea to women. But cafes offering female subservience are far more prevalent.

Japanese Bill Paves a Princess’ Path to Power

By Catherine Makino ● Uncategorized ● January 13, 2006

A woman hasn’t ascended to the Japanese throne since 1770, but a new bill could allow one to inherit the world’s oldest monarchy. The prospect of an empress has riled the country’s old guard and divided the imperial family.

Japan Installs Caution Signal for Sex Traffic

By Catherine Makino ● Crime & Law ● July 18, 2005

Japan has revised its criminal law to stipulate human trafficking as a crime and punish those involved. Activists, however, remain alarmed by foreign-staffed sex parlors that have made the country a haven for traffickers.

In Japan, Women’s Constitutional Rights in Peril

By Catherine Makino ● Uncategorized ● May 1, 2005

Japan’s ruling party is pursuing drastic revisions to the country’s constitution, including rewording the guarantee of gender equality. Women’s rights advocates say that if the revisions pass, Japan will return to “a dark period of history.”

Catherine Makino

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