The passing year 1954 was significant particularly to me In that a dissolution or a reduction in force of the Women and Minors' Bureau was not proposed for the first time throughout the three years and a half since I had occupied the position of bureau chief.

Now I am bidding farewell to the year without the usual bitter and painful worries over this problem.

I referred to this problem as the introduction to my recollection on women's movements this year because I firmly believe it is not only the staff of the bureau but also women at large of this country that have a grave concern in the "to be or not to be" of the bureau where women officials are carrying out the administrations for women.

No news on the dissolution of the bureau [ever] means good news either to the bureau or on the social position of women, however. It might have been that the former Yoshida Cabinet was too much concerned in the impending political crisis to think of a dissolution of a section or bureau of the Government.

I was much Impressed with the teen-age factory working girls who participated in the protracted strikes of the Omi Silk. I clearly perceived a distinct progress in the attitudes, way of discussing and even in way of saying "yes" or "no" during the long-disputed period. When they first visited the Labor Ministry and their attitude was weak, their thinking desultory. When they testified at the Diet as witnesses during the closing days of strike, their progress was clearly discernible. I think the strikes were significant firstly in the sense that they greatly stimulated the general working women and secondly in that those companies with unreasonable labor conditions were warned that their company might be the next target.

Under the pressure of deflation, however, I do not think all the trade unions became stronger. According to a recent survey by the Women and Minors' Bureau, 11 women’s sections out of 24 have male section chiefs as no appropriate woman union member ran for the position.

As for the woman leaders, I recall the riot at the Diet in which several Diet women members were involved. I am one of those who were displeased with the cold criticism from the same sex upon the lady Diet members. But I would like to point out ever increasing positive participation of women members in every field of legislation.

Concerning the organization activities, I want to specially mention that all women's organizations, radical and conservative, were firmly united in a force against the condemnable plan to revive the old family system through a revision of the Constitution. Now I believe no political party will carry a revision of the family system on its platform. I hope women's organizations continue to be cautious against the political movements which may spell a revision of the family system.

The coming year 1955 is promised with a general election in March and local elections in April providing opportunities to women to express themselves to safeguard Japan's future from the retrogressive course. I sincerely hope all women may be prepared for the next year with a firm resolution to lead their country to a bright future.

Fujita, Taki. “Women’s Viewpoint: Leading the Way,” The Mainichi, Friday, December 31, 1954.