Actress Mari Hoshino has been enlisted to help promote a campaign to attract women to join the fire brigade.
Hoshino, who serves as the poster girl for fire brigade recruiting, tried her hand at being a member of the fire department for a day in Chiba at the end of last year. "We live in safety because we've got fire and rescue officers watching out for us," she said at a press conference this week. "But they need help. Everyone can contribute in some way."
The comedy trio "Tokyo 03" also made an appearance, with member Akihiro Kakuta joking, "I wish I was a female member of the fire brigade!"
© Japan Today
17 Comments
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Mark_McCracken
No mention of what specifically people should do to prevent fires. If "everyone can contribute in some way", perhaps a few ways could be mentioned.
wontond
I don't understand why they don't use women who are actually in the fire brigade to help recruit women.
stevecpfc
Good joke Akihiro, Japan is a barrel of laughs.
some14some
Someone from Japanese Women Judo...would have been a better choice.
nath
Will she really promote recruitment. Only one day of experience. I think she's talking out of her belly button (that's where she's holding the mike).
sharpie
too funny, attract women to the fire brigade so they can do women's jobs like fire prevention seminars t elementary schools and communit centers. real noble cause you're supporting Mari. way to be a postergirl for a profession that keeps the sole of the man's boot firmly square on the face of japanese women
tokorobam
Don't suppose they could have found an actual firefighter to be the poster girl - or at least a fire department employee.
nylex4
she can put out my fire any day
bobbafett
You see? this is why we hate Japanese celebrities. what a stupid thing to say. Do Japanese people really obey their celebrities?
IvanCoughalot
That's the most generous usage of the word "joked" I've seen in quite some time.
If I ever have to get rescued from a burning building, I hope I don't see some squeaking, pigeon-toed, doe-eyed, dou-shioing featherwwight coming to haul me to safety.
gogogo
What would the woman actually do? If it is anything like the police, they'll be forced to do nothing the "men" do.
ratpack
And their are no good looking females already employed to do the promotion???
DenDon
didnt anyone tell her to clench her fist at eye level in a 'guts' pose? how can we be expected to believe her sincerity to this endeavour?
Junnama
Fire Brigade? Sounds like the Salvation Army... Doesn't she mean Fire Department?
tarento
What are females supposed to do as members of the "fire brigade"? And save any jokes using the word "hose".
Midnightpromise
tarento; Females can drive, manage pumping equipment, maintain coms, direct traffic, care for victims, assist fellow firefighters with aid, and be first choice for M-T-M CPR.
Fadamor
We bust on Japan's sexism when it comes to the fire brigade, but the U.S. isn't much different. The majority of the women involved with the fire departments never man a hose during a fire. You'll find most of them in the "Ladies Auxilliary" or in Operations positions. Yes, there are women firefighters, but the number is exceedingly small due to the physical requirements that must be met. As a firefighter, you're wearing heavy clothing, you might be required to wear a Scott airpak on your back, and you must maintain control of at least a 1 1/2" hose charged with water under high pressure. Those cartoons of an unattended firehose whipping around like a crazed snake are not too far from the truth.