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Tokyo assemblywoman heckled on why she isn't married or having children

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LDP should make it clear who said that and punish them to some extent.

48 ( +50 / -2 )

Disgusting behaviour. No way I'm bringing my daughters up here.

43 ( +50 / -8 )

Disgusting and totally disrespectful. It's this lack of respect that shows how narrow-minded some people in the government still are.

41 ( +44 / -3 )

Stay classy, LDP Diet members.

How do scum like these get elected beats me every time.

27 ( +28 / -1 )

An official at LDP headquarters said the party was still gathering information about the incident and was unable yet to respond to complaints.

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Don't delay or your party will lose almost every female voters.

25 ( +26 / -1 )

How crass. It's view of itself as uniquely "civilized" and "polite" cannot cover the deep prejudice (of numerous kinds) in this country.

24 ( +25 / -2 )

Japan got a PR boost by cleaning up trash at the World Cup, but perhaps they should clean up the trash in their political representatives first.

23 ( +23 / -0 )

What do you expect in a country where serving tea to colleagues and washing tea cups is a task women working in Japanese offices have traditionally been expected to perform?

22 ( +23 / -1 )

Sexist jeers from governing party members repeatedly interrupted a Tokyo assemblywoman during a debate about how to support child-rearing women in a country facing a population crisis.

People get the government they deserve, and until the young people, women, etc. get the guts to make real changes to the Japanese political landscape, this will be the rule, rather than the exception. Elect third-world thinking and this is the result.

18 ( +23 / -5 )

Misogyny. Alive 'n well in Japan.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

...while the Japan Communist Party said it was “terrible sexual harassment.”

I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I agree with the Communist Party!

15 ( +15 / -0 )

What do you expect from that bunch of elitist clowns known as the LDP. They are the cause of most of the problems that Japan faces.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

And these are the people leadering Japan? Power harassment? Bullying? What a great to teach our children respect. Shame on your LDP!!!

14 ( +15 / -1 )

LDP-ers have found the way to support J-women finally. Heckle them into conceiving. Mental rape?

13 ( +15 / -2 )

http://thinkprogress.org/world/2014/06/19/3450768/tokyo-sexist-shouts/

The news has been already circulated to the world audience. This incident revealed to us that Japanese men are still bullying and treating women unfairly and unequally in society. Shame on Oyaji politicians!!

12 ( +12 / -0 )

What do you expect from flaccid old men.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

I'd love to see their reaction if she went over and punched them in the mouth.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Wait for the usual, "It was a regrettable misunderstanding, we'll deeply reflect on our actions, and take measures to improve the situation..."

That's as close to an apology as you'll get...

12 ( +13 / -1 )

I was just in shock watching this on the news last night.

The one positive thing is the immediate and overwhelming negative public reaction to it. The Japanese change.org has a petition up demanding punishment for perpetrator that already has 10s of thousands of supporters.

The one mysterious (sarcasm) thing is that judging by the interviews I have seen on TV it seems that every member of the LDP in the room at the time somehow didn`t hear the insults even though they were being shouted right from the LDP seats. They must all have hearing problems.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

No wonder Japan has such a low birth rate. I wouldn't want to have children with those men, either.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Shouts of “Why don’t you get married?” and “Are you not able to have a baby?” could be heard as she spoke, said fellow assembly member Shun Otokita, of Shiomura’s opposition Your Party.

If there are lots of Japanese men who behave like that it's pretty obvious why she doesn't get married.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Did these guys violate the constitution? Article 14:

1. All of the people are equal under the law and there shall be no discrimination in political, economic or social relations because of race, creed, sex, social status or family origin.

Women saved Japan after WWII. But in Japan they never get any credit.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Glad to see this has gone international.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

She is nice. She could pour hot tea on head of the heckler and wipe liquid with his suit coat,

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Checho, What has her marital status got to do with her ability to make good policy? 'refusing to have a family'- perhaps you'd support a forced marriage? You're living in the wrong century.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

That poor woman! Governor Masuzoe should discipline those knuckleheads!!

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Yuya KoikeJ

LDP should make it clear who said that and punish them to some extent.

EXACTLY !!! This sets back Abe's efforts to promote equal status and opportunities for women i n the workplace in Japan. . . the only G7 country where women are STILL OT EQUAL !!!!!! ....................In Canada, entrenched in the Constitution is a provision that protects people from discrimination because of race, color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation. And it IS enforced ! . . .. You get heavily fined/ sanctioned for eve the slightest violation. ...It has helpd cultivate a a harmonious multicultural & gender equity

9 ( +9 / -0 )

“They should not shout things that have nothing to do with policies,” she said. “Jeers like that degrade a person and >amount to abuse. They should show respect for an assembly member who stands for questioning.”

She shouldn't felt degraded. The only one that got degraded are the one who shouts these stupid statement and questions. She should stand up for herself and other females in the society that have been constantly attacked and pushed down by her male colleague and demand an apology.

In any political democratic society/system, these people would be reprimanded. Will the Liberal-Democratic Party do the right thing? That's another question.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

LDP – The Party of Sexism, Cronyism, and Racism. Haven't these fossils already done enough damage not only to the nation but also to Japan's image abroad? It's long past time to bury them.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Shouts of “Why don’t you get married?” and “Are you not able to have a baby?” could be heard as she spoke

In any other of the world's economically-developed nations, any politician who made these sorts of snide remarks in a congressional, house, parliamentary or diet session would provoke public outrage, and would soon be out of a job.

Although there is a measure of public outrage here in Japan, this behavior will ultimately have little to no impact on the careers of these politicians. For some reason, the public here goes easy on politicians, who seem to get by with acting recklessly and saying whatever pops into their minds.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

oikawaJun. 20, 2014 - 05:25AM JST

Disgusting behaviour. No way I'm bringing my daughters up here.

I took a correct action to bring my kids here in US when they were very young. There is NO way my kids need to put up with this abuse.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Infantile at best. How can Japan really expect to be taken seriously on the political front by democratic nations?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

It's a national disgrace that these troglodytes in the LDP are actually elected to office rather than driving taxis (though I doubt they'd be any good at that either).

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Many of using cold lose our jobs or at least receive reprimands for making comments like that. It seems extraordinary that these politicians don't lose their jobs, especially when you take into account that about half the voters are women.

Women of Japan, rise up and vote them out.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

How freaking rude can you get? Haji, LDP!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

This country would be a lot better off run by women. In my experience most of the j-blokes I work and deal with are useless. My female acquaintances and colleagues are generally far more capapble.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

When you have a system that sees men being put forward as though they are more special, more intelligent, better, this what infects stupid minds, FIND and expose the idiot who made such gross comments, because for SURE he won't be man ENOUGH to come forward. Misogyny Japan Inc. And YOU want to hold the Olympics?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Please Japanese Citizens do something about your politicians.. the vast majority seem to be out of touch, ignorant, misogynistic, elitist greying men who's main talent a serious case of foot in mouth.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Another low for the very low LDP. These are the sort of old boys who can act this because they know they can get away with it. To anyone with half brain, these men are stupid sexist hicks. To their cronies they are buddy to treat with beers and yakitori. To think that our taxes support these creeps.

I can why a woman would stay unmarried.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Is is so hard for these sexists politicians to be named? I bet if they were members of the opposition the media would have been all over them in a heart-beat. Come on J-media and do what your job title entails which is to investigate then report the news, not simply to report it. I'm sure there are plenty of witnesses who would out these idiots as well as video/audio recordings that could be put a name and face to them.

These dinosaurs, maybe not, need to be publicly shamed with there mugs plastered all over the front pages but the media won't make a fuss over it as they belong to Juminto (LDP). Sad point is the electorate probably wouldn't be shocked at all and some actually think those were valid questions. These guys will be re-elected next time around which I guess mutes my question to begin with. Wonder what Abe's take on the matter is. Oh yeah, media won't bother to trouble him over it.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Well, governor Masuzoe is a known chauvinist. Apparently he just sat there smiling.

As for "Third World Thinking," no. The third world doesn't have the luxury of keeping talented and educated people out of management, government and so on.

As for this kind of thing, why is nobody getting on Abe's case? He hasn't had any kids either.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Any other country and these old farts would be forced to resign. And don't for a second think that this mentality is restricted to politics...

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Disgusting but not surprising. Watch out for those guilty ones being caught out and then say their heckling was 'misquoted'.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

And as if LDP couldn't think of another way to lose credibility, this time it's lot worse.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Disgusting - low class - yet not surprising - I wonder what Abe's wife thinks of his 'friends'. Women will really help this country - we just need some of the old *arts to get out of the way.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

The same guys who says the comfort women were prostitutes. What do you expect?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Japan is not only the most sexist advanced nations, but one of the most in the Asia.

It is embarrassing, but the politicians still are not embarrassed. Can you imagine any Western politician coming out with this?

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Hashimoto's most recent insensitive comment about comfort women, and this story are revealing a true color of Japan. Please find these politicians and dismissed them from politics forever for good. As long as these people are in power, Japan cannot catch up with the rest of world. Hope JT will follow up with this story to us. Thanks JT.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Is it any wonder that Japan ranks below even Saudi Arabia for women in management positions? The crippling macho, misogynist culture here simply MUST change for Japan to have any chance of a future. Get rid of these useless old men of the LDP! They've never achieved anything.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

LDP that is so shameful, name and shame these people and kick their tired old asses outs!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Women in this country who are incensed by this (and exactly every single one of them should be) should send a little message to the LDP come election time. They have more than enough power to swing the vote in any direction, they feel, should they all vote. Perhaps this is exactly what Japan needs, a woman's party, run by a women. Hell they run the households here, why not the government. It would make a refreshing change from the current bungling idiots.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Absolutely disgusting. Those attitudes of entitlement tend to come from major parties who seem to attract career politicians with a selfish agenda as opposed to those politicians, often from minor parties or Independents, who enter politics to help people.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Sad, but not surprising. I bet the hecklers were of the older generation.

Quite frankly, women still don't have a strong image among a lot of older men in Japan. Part of this is because of older men being old, and men. But women don't do themselves any favors by acting all "cute," seeming frail, weak-spirited, weak-minded - all around, weaker. Women need to look stronger, like the Scandinavians. They should start by actually being physically strong - eat more, grow bigger and taller. Shouldn't take long before they tower over J-guys and put them in their place.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The media give the LDP a much easier ride than they ever gave the LDP. Why aren't Japanese "journalists" finding out who made the remarks and pressing them for interviews? The same thing happened with son of Ishihara the other day: a quick, insincere apology and all is forgotten.

I remember when the newly appointed DPJ cabinet member for reconstruction made a remark about "not knowing much about Tohoku" and he was quickly hounded from office by non-stop media pressure. No such pressure is applied to LDP buffoons such as Aso, Ishiba, son of Ishihara etc, no matter how crass or insensitive their remarks.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

"Are you not able to have children?" Seriously?!?! What scum would say that? That's a terrible thing to say. All people who voted for these people-not-deserving-to-be-called men should take a closer look at who they chose. Seriously, what a bunch of twits!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I think the names of these assemblymen should be broadcasted so Japanese people could think twice about voting their ignorant butts in.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

and this just about sums up why Japans future is looking grim, have a group of sexist idiots running a country that looks to women as a second class citizen that only job is to satisfy men and make babies. there should be a revolution of skilled Japanese women packing up and leaving Japan for countries that will treat them as an equal citizen. well see how the birthrate looks after that.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I hate to be the voice of dissent here, but did anyone else see the video of what took place? What those misogynistic old farts said was truly disgusting. But you can bet that if she had marched up there with her head high, looked out and engaged her audience, looked people in the eye, and given her speech with passion, instead of reading off a script, head down, monotone, like a 4th grader giving her first presentation on famous people to the class, none of those men would have had the balls to say anything and run the risk of being publicly called out on it by the WOMAN up on the podium.

Again - what those men said was truly despicable. But the women here dont do themselves any favors either.

go ahead and let the thumbing down begin. It had to be said.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

This is unfortunate but sexism against women pervades all areas of our lives, public and private, legal and economic, educational and social, religious and psychological, and gender relations in particular. It is part of this society and has affected the lives of women worldwide and throughout history. We still live in a patriarchy where women's oppression at work and sexual assaults and rape exist and society is to this day. Women still face certain expectations of their behavior and limit individual's freedom which further provides evidence of sexism's current existence. In other words sexism is part of this society De Jure and De facto. In the end it is solved by the awakening of the minds to the reality that everyone is sexists, because sexist is the stereotypes and the bias associated with each gender, further it is the expectation that have run many lives, and still are today.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Many lady heads of Asian countries will be visiting Japan and they will learn this story This heckler is disgraceful. If he loves pregnancy, I suggest him to get sex change surgery and become pregnant himself.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

no bloody wonder women are marrying later having fewer babies.

Thank goodness the Mrs & I have no kids here I feel for those raising daughters is such a sexist country they pretends to be modern!

Japan can be some damned primitive at times!

And as usual no one will be kicked out of that dreaded group known as the ldp, for SHAME!!!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

wowyzJun. 20, 2014 - 11:19AM JST

http://thinkprogress.org/world/2014/06/19/3450768/tokyo-sexist-shouts/

The news has been already circulated to the world audience. This incident revealed to us that Japanese men are still bullying and treating women unfairly and unequally in society. Shame on Oyaji politicians!!

MAKE IT GLOBALLY KNOWN!!!

MAKE IT GLOBALLY KNOWN!!!

The news has been already circulated on Facebook and Twitter to the millions in global audience. Japanese Oyaji politicians are on hot seats this time. They need to do a lot of explanations to us. It is interesting to hear what they would say.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

This behaviour is unacceptable. If the politicians who did this were so proud of their remarks, they should put their name to them.

But, Japan Today, you are contributing to the problem as well. "Assemblywoman" really?!?

It's Municipal Councillor or Member of the Municipal Assembly. The Japanese makes no distinction as to the gender of the Municipal Councillor, why should the sexism be added in when translated to English?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Ignor the LITTLE children Ayaka.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

i'm sure that all the tv stations have all politicians' voices on tape. shouldn't be to hard for an enterprising reporter to do a voice match to figure out who it was and stick a mike it his face and ask for his comments. i'm sure his constituency would love to know who he is.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Not surprising. None of us who read this are shocked at learning of this behaviour as it's common here in Japan. It's not just misogyny and sexual harassment, these men also tried to stifle the democratic process by trying to stop her speaking.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Their LDP "thinking is 2000 years out of date"-REF: PAST Ambassador to Japan Joseph Clark Grew, and career diplomat

"In July 2005, the United Nations special rapporteur on discrimination and racism, Doudou Diene, Diene handed the completed 23-page report based on his research to the UN Commission on Human Rights" REF: http://www.geneva-academy.ch/RULAC/un_resolutions_and_reports.php?id_state=116

BOYCOTT is the solution

4 ( +4 / -0 )

JAPAN please respect your women.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

That man is a coward. Come out and show you face, you useless imbecile....don't you have a mother and grandmother...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I can't say that I'm surprised by this. What do you expect from people who do not need to campaign to get elected. Most of the politicians in Japan are insocially accepted hereditary seats. They are political system dependents that do not have any job skills and knew they were going to be in political office from a young age. How can you expect them to understand the plight of lowly Japanese people, much less an inferior gender. Japan as a whole needs to address this problem by taking action. What action? Voicing there thougjts at the ballot box. Not just writing complaints or thinking someone else will take care of the problem. Get rid of all the self-entitled social leeches.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Best way for this to get traction is to make international news. It always surprises me when I talk to some Japanese friends and co-workers about their politicians, especially when they are caught out or just doing a poor. Where in most other countries the public perception would be highly critical, but in Japan I mostly hear, "oh well, he was voted in, so lets just give him our best support". They really need to be more critical and vocal regarding their politicians and parties.

And I thought PMQs was terrible with their constant jeering.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

why am I not surprised? (Y_Y) retrograde is a compliment for some "people".

3 ( +3 / -0 )

http://thinkprogress.org/world/2014/06/19/3450768/tokyo-sexist-shouts/

The news has been already circulated to the world audience. This incident revealed to us that Japanese men are still bullying and treating women unfairly and unequally in society. Shame on Oyaji politicians!!

MAKE IT GLOBALLY KNOWN!!!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

That remark makes my blood boil.Let's catcall the speaker. And newspaper should take this remark big and we make this remark be bigger.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

You really have to wonder how these immature little boys, sorry I mean men, I think, get into politics?!! As I have been in public speaking for many years, she should have turned it around and asked him do you get drunk every night, how many girlfriends do you have, does your mommy tell you a bedtime story before you go to bed? All this poor woman was trying to do was her JOB and look after the people of Tokyo! All I can say is YOU GO GIRL!! We're with you all the way!!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A damned lucky thing Japan is composed of islands otherwise the women would leave pronto!!!

These oyaji are too stupid to be embarrassed by this, maybe one day voters will actually take notice & act upon it!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The company I work for has seen quite a few talented female staff leave to work abroad. This kind of mentality isn't limited to the LDP dinosaurs. If I had a career-minded daughter, I'd pay for her flight out of here.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

This is your government?!?!?

Get rid of these guys. These are not role models. With all the bullying and job harassment there's no need to speculate why it's happening to the youth in this country. The adults support bullying and misogyny.

This is regrettable!!.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

With morons like these charting Japan's future, is it any wonder that Japan is so screwed up?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

a woman's party, run by a women.

There was "Women's Party" during 1993-2011 in Japan. But during the 18 years, none of their candidates was elected.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

In this day and age, some women do not want to have children and be tied to a kitchen sink, they have the brains and ability to work so why not let them, as I am sure that most of the women working are much brighter than men and that is what man is afraid of. During the wars, women did the work of men and help to keep our country working, women then found their feet, but it has taken all this time for them to be heard. Equality is what is needed.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Disgusting behavior from LDP. They should be offering their sons to marry Shiomura instead?

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Too bad.

Ill mannered men do no good nor help the LDP's many worthy causes, with this nonsense.

Grow up, lads.

Learn how to be respectful and maybe others who notice such things would respect you. One of the quickest way to lose your seat in politics is to be offensive to ladies worthy of respect. That's my 2 yens worth.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I find this type of behavior disgusting and troubling on so many levels. But what gets me is the ones who were doing it. If they are politicians they probably fit one of the two following categories:

They may talk loud and tough being anonymous, but will cower when actually faced with another person whom they disagree with. I bet these are the types of people who are some of the drivers you see on the road. They drive willy-nilly behindthe wheel of a one ton car, but yet outside of it they are probably just timid little sheep. These same politicans are probably married, and if so they probably give the majority of their income to their wives and have no clue as to what goes on at home. I find it amazing that they would stand out against her issues, and yet go home and let their wives run their lives. Probably more closer to home, these guys are probably not married, and still live at home and can't do anything by themselves. No real prospects for any woman, just another "man-child" here in Japan.

I am placing my money on my #3 in this case.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@ genki/Flash: That would have been an excellent tactic! Let her give the microphone to the hecklers, and she may look bad to some for not standing up, but overall the general public would get to see the hecklers, and I am sure that some "heads would roll" when their identities and the political bosses were identified.

As others have said, I doubt very highly that the perps are married or know how to interact with women outside of their own world.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

You can bet your house that those chauvinistic pigs who said the sexist comments won't have the tamas tamas to "man up" and admit / apologize to her - As with the LDP members around them that should dob them in....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Pathetic bullying from the little boys in the audience.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Kick the LDP out, please, minna, come election time....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

TohkaJUN. 20, 2014 - 01:41PM JST

Kick the LDP out, please, minna, come election time.

What's the point in that?

They all have the same attitude - it's the backward sexist culture that's the problem, not the party.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

****This is not a medieval society...unless your a woman, working or in the justice system. Ha Ha

2 ( +3 / -1 )

They probably have little peckers,,,,

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Shouts of “Why don’t you get married?” and “Are you not able to have a baby?” could be heard as she spoke, said fellow assembly member Shun Otokita, of Shiomura’s opposition Your Party.

Drop kicks like these need to be booted out . They are a relic from darker times and should return there... they harbour views which are clearly not appropriate for the modern world. That poor woman should never have been allowed to be subjected to such verbal abuse... apart from being hurtful, what did it have to do with politics?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Best way to shame them is to expose them.

Someone must of gotten them on their cell phones.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

What a disgrace.

How vulgar these little men are. How insecure these little men are.

Threatened by a woman, feeling a need to try to publicly humiliate her. Shame Japan - you should scream these idiots down from the highest rooftop.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It's a shame that a country so developed still has so much gender descrimination.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Anyone who has spent any meaningful amount of time in Japan and has any intelligence can easily understand that this type of behaviour is indigenous to Japan. If Japanese women would go on say a month long holiday from work, home duites or putting out if you know what I mean, Japan would collapse. 99.99% of Japanese men I have been associated with over the age of say forty went from sucking their mommy's tits to their wives and could not boil water to make a cup ramen. Its time Japanese men grow up and stop behaving like spoiled brats and act like real men.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

This should provide AMPLE explanation for why Japanese women aren't marrying.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Patterns of LDP leaders in past/ Just examples that top LDP shows how to behave toward females.

Hakuo Yanagisawa was health minister during Abe's first stint as prime minister in 2007 when he described women as "baby-making machines"

Yoshiro Mori, a former prime minister. In 2003,, Mori called career women who put off childbirth selfish and challenged whether they should be eligible for pensions. In 2009, while in a tough local-election race with a 33-year-old female travel agent, Mori warned voters not to be won over by her "nice body" and "sexiness."

Yoichi Masuzoe, Tokyot governor. whether humans who menstruate are fit for public office and deriding female lawmakers as "middle-aged hags".

2 ( +2 / -0 )

We can now say that the spirit of Bushido and Samurai-tamashii are sadly dead in a country that once prided itself on male figures with backbone and a strong sense of dignity and honor. When men who should be considered leaders and representatives of people cannot stand up and take responsibility for their comments and or actions, whether right or wrong, belittle others and then hide behind their comrades who knowingly protect their identities from being know not only bring shame to all members of that body but more importantly bring shame upon all Japanese.

For their identities to still remain unknown and there not to be widespread condemnation from everyone, especially their comrades, for them to be outed and forced to take responsibility truly shows the cowardice that prevails amongst the so-called leaders of a once proud and humble people know as the Japanese!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This is is disgusting but really nothing new here. Most Japanese men wouldn't be irked by these comments.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Now that this embarrassment has made the world stage Abe will just say it's regrettable, claim he's committed to his promises (which he hasn't lived up to in this case), but no one will be singled out, and nothing done.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Name and shame these a( ( )holes.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Unfortunately these same politicians are elected primarily by women past child-rearing age, mainly in rural constituencies with ridiculous voting biases over the city voters. Younger men in the cities do not primarily vote LDP, so there is some hope. We have had all these awful comments before about women from LDP politicians, but aging Japanese females continue to elect them!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Igloo - I appreciate your viewpoint as yeah, you could say they all seem to be like that. But personally, I'd rather get rid of the LDP, and at LEAST have a chance at a change, even if the odds are like 0.000000001. Not bothering to change, reduces it to zero.

You're right though, kicking them out is NOT a guarantee of a change from this decrepit behavior, but "why bother" is a GUARANTEE for this garbage to continue.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

She should challenged the men to stand up and say again their bad words so camera can see their face. Missed chance. Now nothing change

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Following, I wrote on latest article related to this story I am not a man, I am not LDP member. '

from latest interview - just her first comment

Ms. Shiomura: I stood at the center podium and started talking about the struggles of working mothers. Then, a male council member shouted out, “You're the one who should get married as soon as possible.” Instead of condemnation, a couple of other male council members made similar remarks, and laughter filled the assembly hall. My head went blank –- it was such an old-fashioned, blatant offence that even an elementary school child knows is wrong. As I continued to call for support for infertile woman, another male voice taunted, "{Can't you even bear a child?” Again, the assembly hall was filled with laughter and sneers of agreement. I felt alienated in such an old-fashioned environment where no one seemed to think these remarks were wrong. It was alarming that many male politicians ' understand the feelings of women needing assistance that I was speaking about. It’s unfortunate that such a childish incident took place in an official assembly.

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There are more she spoke up in interview I guess it was not only one heckler. Not just LDP bnly.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@bruinfan: Write stats and source of your data if you are promoting heckling.

Here are names of chai and vice chair of Tokyo Metro Assembly. Chair Yoshino who replace Inose after Inose resigned with money scandal , Vice Chair Fuji.

2013 election --- LDP 59, New Komeito 23 j Communist Party 17 DPJ 15 Unity of Restoration 3 Your Party 4 Indep 1

total 127

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I checked /about Fujii, very common name' so mayre this info might not be accurate. A Fujii was elected in a emergency session in 2013 and he is a Komeito member,

1 ( +1 / -0 )

A bigger problem is that LDP politicians do breed and their often idiot progeny are gifted the chance to ruin this country.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thankfully, we can look forward to the offspring of the LDP governing Japan for decades to come.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In a 'modern' country these sexist pigs would be ousted and she would be suing them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Shiomura continued her questioning, despite being visibly upset during the debate Wednesday, her colleague added.

NHK news at noon showed a clip of her from behind, weeping into a handkerchief. That made me sad, but politics is a dirty business and Shiomura will need to develop thicker skin and a repertoire of equally nasty putdowns if she wants to make it as a politician.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

We say in my home country, who does not stand (against something), accepts it. Leave Japanese culture to Japanese. This is also democracy. Of course, not backing any instant that outatime thinking.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I would like to take this opportunity to remind the "siverbacks "in the government that were are now in the 21 century !! and were NOT in the stone ages!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Thank you Japan. Thank you.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'll give you a "thumbs-up" for that insight, Nathalieb.

She should have been able to put those pigs back in their sty.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I wrote on another new article. ''''

Her slogans, are very good to prepare for Tokyo Olympics and increasing tourism. Abe will prefer her ideas Too bad she is not with LDP.

Refoorm of Tokyo Govt, Tokyo Assembly

Reexamine area sovereignty, prefecture system

Support Growth of children

Support Working Females

Support Aged People''

Aimed zero animal killing punishment'

Disaster Prevention Capital City Tokyo

Tourist Mecca Tokyo

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sadly, many conservative (over 50 generally) women, silently agree with the heckling...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Toshiko,

Thanks for the information. I am against the heckling. I just wish that they would be voted out of office. Let's make their sexism and stupidity known around the world!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Again - what those men said was truly despicable. But the women here dont do themselves any favors either.

Apparently it was her first time up there, naturally she would've been very nervous. Those disgusting creatures had no right to take advantage of her obvious nervousness and hound her out like that. Really and truly despicable. I agree wholeheartedly with the commenters who say that they wouldn't want to raise daughters here.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

This is one time that the comments were pretty much in unison. I would like them all. But, the whole thing refreshes itself when liking each commen t. And I have to click numerous times. (Anyone else noticed this?) plus 1 to most! Anyway, good to read these and my only wish is that Japanese would read these. And I would like to know what is being written in Japanese newspapers about this. Anyone with links to online comment sections like this for Japanese newspapers? Great article for English classes to "get the discussion going."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I am quite sure that the majority of men in the "Western" world think about women the same way as these guys in Japanese parliament do. Only it is not appreciated in public anymore. Maybe the 68' revolution is missing in Japan? But the fact that this incident causes so much uproar in Japan shows that somehow the society in Japan is on its right way. BTW, in Germany women often get up to 25% less salary than their male colleagues in the same job and they have to answer questions like "are you planning to have a baby?" during job interviews (if your answer is "yes", then you are already disqualified for the job, of course). And since they have been allowed to enter the army there have been many sexist incidents...so the western world is not as golden, either.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

you can hear the idiots here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvRK970s0JU

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I suppose that these gentlemen were born in a manner other than the normal way that most of us were born; Not to mention being nursed, cared for, and raised by someone other than a woman. Just a thought.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

You think this is disgusting? Try talking to the HR on ANY of the top 100 firms in Japan about how the OLs complaint about sexual harassment by their Japanese male counterparts.

Its such a pandemic that most companies and society overlook these problems. Everyone, and I mean everyone in Japan expects women to be married off before they hit mid 30s and start popping out children or at lease die trying.

Its such a sexist society and culture. Its no wonder you would treat women of other ethnics atrociously when you don't even respect women of your own kind.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

My wife and I have a bet, I bet that the hecklers were under the age of 50, she bet that they were over the age of 50.

If I lose this bet I am going to have to spend a whole lot of cash.

I think these idiots were young turks who were trying to impress the old guard, hope I am right!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

She was talking about support for child-rearing for current and future mothers, and instead her male counterparts made sexist comments. Shameful! That's okay. All the females in Japan can contact me. A real man would be happy to listen.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Keyword is "heckling". They're doing this to rile her up. Hope she's the better woman.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Oyaji typical behaviour: bullying anyone different than their group. Irrespectful and childish behavior. Nothing more but nothing to do about harassment/physical attack.

Careful on what to think: japanese ladies here do not lack anything to have children, a vast minority is simply selfish and prefer live under wealthy conditions alone. If not a shame not to have a child, why bother have one if it brings no money, nor recognition but only obligations, especially for school. The highest non-issue being no one ever complain about that silly system. No complain no change. We don't know Ayaka 's situation: she may to be blamed if she could have had children, and be praised if she is in the situation she's trying but faces the difficulties she is evoking... If I was not in my (very) good personal situation here in Japan, i can tell you I would flee this country to have children in France for instance. No joke.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

I personally love the LDP, but, in this instance their actions were inappropriate for an assembly meeting

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

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