Nahoko Hishiyama ((菱山 南帆子) born 1989, Hachioji)[1] is a Japanese feminist, constitutional protection activist, and anti-war activist.
Early life
editHishiyama's mother was a sign language interpreter, and her father was self-employed.[2] As a result, Hishiyama was exposed early on to the Deaf community, and learned sign language.[2]
Hishiyama's first brush with activism was in the fifth grade, when she gathered some of her classmates to challenge a teacher for using ableist language.[1][3] That same year, she refused to sing the Japanese national anthem, Kimigayo, in school, after disagreeing with its lyrics.[2]
Activism
editHishiyama began speaking out about anti-war causes in 2003, after the onset of the Iraq War and Japan's announcement of their support for it.[1][2][4]
In 2016, Hishiyama was one of many activists who protested proposed security legislation that would allow Japan's Self-Defense Forces to be sent overseas to engage in combat, in violation of the Japanese constitution.[5][6] She is the deputy secretary general of Yurusu na! Kenpo Kaiaku Shimin Renrakukai (Citizens’ Liaison Group against Constitutional Reform), an organization which aims to preserve the constitution in the face of such legislation.[7] She has also protested against the expansion of the Japanese military[8] and the presence of U.S. bases in Japan.[9]
Hishiyama has expressed support for the hypothetical recognition of crimes against Koreans by the Japanese government.[10]
Hishiyama has received death threats and harassment for her feminist and constitutional activism,[4][7] including her involvement with the feminist group Online Safety for Sisters.[11][12]
In 2022, Hishiyama protested the state funeral of assassinated prime minister Shinzo Abe.[13]
Writing
editIn 2017, Hishiyama released a memoir on her experiences, entitled Called the girl who calls the storm – A book about how to live as a citizen movement (嵐を呼ぶ少女とよばれて―市民運動という生きかた 単行本).[3] She also writes an online newsletter, entitled Neko to Toramega.[3]
Personal life
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "【市民連合の要望書1】菱山南帆子さんインタビュー「民主主義は自分をアップデートしていくこと」". 市民連合 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b c d "つながる／ひろがる／フェミ・ジャーナル -ふぇみん-｜インタビュー". www.jca.apc.org. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b c "「若者が参加する市民運動に」、四日市で菱山南帆子さんが講演、九条の会よっかいち十八周年のつどい". YOUよっかいち (in Japanese). 2023-06-25. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b c "市民運動の妨害 許さない 八王子の菱山南帆子さん、支援する弁護団結成". 東京新聞 TOKYO Web (in Japanese). April 3, 2021. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Japan's security laws draw 37,000 protesters". News Ghana. 2016-03-29. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "「日本を滅びに導く政策だ！」 国会前で市民が大集会". 週刊金曜日オンライン (in Japanese). December 25, 2022. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b "COD deliveries target 'women who speak up'; assemblywoman files criminal complaint". Mainichi Daily News. 2018-12-27. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ Reynolds, Isabel (2022-12-19). "Pacifist Japan Embraces Strong Military in World of Threats". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ Sumida, Chiyomi; Ornauer, David (June 19, 2016). "Anti-US military protests attract thousands in Naha, Tokyo". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Japan OKs 1st export to S. Korea under new trade curbs". spectrumnews1.com. August 8, 2019. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Natsuko Izena calls for measures against social media defamation and collects signatures in support of legislation". Ryukyu Shimpo. October 13, 2021. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Au Japon, Online Safety for Sisters dénonce la misogynie en ligne". Europe Solidaire Sans Frontières. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ Rich, Motoko; Dooley, Ben (2022-09-24). "Why Japan Is Angry About a State Funeral for an Assassinated Leader". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-13.