Women’s Rights and Postwar Gender Reforms in Japan (1945–1965)

1. Surrender and start of Allied Occupation

   Sep 2, 1945Labels: Allied occupation, Japan surrender

   • NARA

2. Women granted voting and candidacy rights

   Dec 1, 1945Labels: Electoral law, Women voters

   • Nippon

3. First election with women voters and candidates

   Apr 10, 1946Labels: 1946 election, Women representatives

   • JapanTimes

4. New Constitution promulgated with sex equality principles

   Nov 3, 1946Labels: 1946 Constitution, Sex equality

   • Britannica

5. Imperial Household Law revised; male-only succession kept

   Jan 16, 1947Labels: Imperial Household, Male succession

   • IHL

6. Child Welfare Bureau created to address war’s impact

   Mar 19, 1947Labels: Child Welfare, Maternal health

   • JACAR

7. Labor Standards Act sets basic workplace protections

   Apr 7, 1947Labels: Labor Standards, Workplace law

   • JLT

8. First House of Councillors election under new system

   Apr 20, 1947Labels: House of, 1947 election

   • MIC

9. Constitution takes effect, including Article 24 equality

   May 3, 1947Labels: Constitution 1947, Article 24

   • Britannica

10. Women’s and Minors’ Bureau created in the new Ministry of Labor

    Sep 1, 1947Labels: Women s, Ministry of

    • UMD

11. Child Welfare Act enacted, including maternal-child health focus

    Dec 12, 1947Labels: Child Welfare, Child protection

    • JACAR

12. Civil Code reforms dismantle the prewar “ie” family system

    Jan 1, 1948Labels: Civil Code, Ie system

    • Britannica

13. Eugenic Protection Law promulgated, expanding state control over reproduction

    Jul 13, 1948Labels: Eugenic Protection, Reproductive law

    • NagoyaU

14. League of Housewives (Shufuren) founded to influence policy

    Sep 1, 1948Labels: Shufuren, Oku Mumeo

    • UMD

15. Grassroots women’s associations expand local “democracy in daily life”

    Mar 1, 1950Labels: Local women, Tobata association

    • TWA

16. Nationality Law enacted; nationality by birth includes Japanese mothers

    May 4, 1950Labels: Nationality Law, Citizenship by

    • MOJ

17. Chifuren formed as a national umbrella for regional women’s groups

    Jan 1, 1952Labels: Chifuren, National League

    • Chifuren

18. First woman appointed to the Japanese cabinet

    Jul 1, 1960Labels: Nakayama Masa, Cabinet appointment

    • Nippon