THE IMPACT OF AMERICAN FEMINIST IDEAS ON JAPANESE SOCIETY (ILLUSTRATED BY THE #METOO MOVEMENT)

Japan is a country of Confucian values, and therefore is based on hierarchy and subordination. The cultural specificities of the country promote gender roles and inequalities in society. However, due to globalization, the ideas of Western civilization, including feminism, have become more influential in traditional societies such as Japan. In this article, the ideas of American feminism and their influence on Japanese society will be examined. One of the most influential movements of American feminism – the #MeToo movement – will be discussed. First, we will analyze the features of Japanese culture that can hinder feminist ideas, and then we will consider feminism in Japan, its main movements, and the connection between American feminism and Japanese women’s rights initiatives.