A princess who will soon marry represents the third generation to suffer intense emotional distress in a country that often consigns women to rigid roles.
Author: Motoko Rich and Hikari Hida
Heavy Is the Burden on Japan’s Royal Women
A princess who will soon marry represents the third generation to suffer intense emotional distress in a country that often consigns women to rigid roles.
Disabled Japanese Are Often Invisible. Will Paralympics Bring Lasting Light?
Tokyo improved its infrastructure before the Games, but activists wonder how long the focus will continue in a country with a long history of excluding people with disabilities.
As Covid Cases Hit Record High in Tokyo, Can the Olympic Bubble Hold?
With the Games approaching their midway point, promises of a “safe and secure” event are being put to the test.
Expected to Be Demure, Japan’s Girls Face Steep Hurdles to Athletic Dreams
The Tokyo Olympics offer a chance to crown a new set of heroes to inspire budding female athletes. But once the spotlight dims, Japan’s rigid gender norms will still limit opportunities.
Olympics Gave Hope to Japan’s L.G.B.T.Q. Activists. But Old Prejudices Die Hard.
Legislation labeling discrimination “unacceptable” has been blocked by conservative lawmakers, showing how far the country has to go to fulfill the goal of equality enshrined in the Olympic charter.
Why ‘Cursed’ Olympics in Tokyo Are Pressing Ahead Amid Covid
The Games’ organizers say they have a responsibility to hold the event and “build a legacy” for society. But money, national pride and political obduracy are also important drivers.
Why Suicide Rose Among Japanese Women During the Pandemic
Job losses, urban isolation, household burdens: Covid-19 has compounded the pressures on women, raising alarms in a country that has worked to reduce some of the world’s highest suicide rates.