Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
well. Two years ago Sensei [Ikeda] went to Asia, and he reported how
prominent women were in various Asian societies including women in the
SGI. When he returned to Japan, he said women in Japan should really
improve their role in society. In a speech, he said that when you talk about
human relationships, women are much better at this than men are. When I
heard this speech, I thought that the women in Soka Gakkai should
become more active
of course the WD is already very active, but the
YWD should be more active in giving its opinion at meetings. Becoming
more active also means spreading the good qualities of women in society.
SUGIYAMA : Well, I think the concept of the twenty-
-
rst century being the
century of women carries a number of meanings, but when we talk about
peace
women seem to embody various important characteristics towards
which we should aim. If women can participate actively in society and
make such characteristics more prominent then we will create a more
peaceful society. Therefore, I think Sensei
-
is view is that it is important for
women to play an increasingly active role in society. Before Igeta-san
mentioned the Asian trip, and when we compare other Asian countries to
Japan, I agree, Japan has a long way to go to catch up in this area.
ANNE METTE : That Japan and Soka Gakkai are behind in terms of women
'
s
position in society is often the impression of visiting SGI members. When I
talk with YWDs here in Japan, they seem to face a number of dilemmas.
When they graduate from university, there are many things they want to
do, such as for instance travel overseas; or they want to continue working
[after getting married]. But doing so also brings up fears that it decreases
their chances of getting married. At the same time, I indirectly hear about
the opinion of some MD [Men
'
s Division] members, who think a good wife
is someone who stays at home and takes care of the family. Even some
professors at Soka University seem to unre
'
ectively expound this view
during lectures. What do you think about this? Of course this is not your
opinion, Sugiyama-san, since your wife is still working [I say jokingly, and
we all laugh].
SUGIYAMA : For me this is not a problem. I don
find it hard at all [that
women should be working]. But according to Japanese culture, it has been
women who do the housework, and a lot of other things, and men who
work outside. This has been the situation. We have had this discussion of
whether it wouldn
'
t
it be good to have the whole youth division do activities
together. But it seems that this would make activities harder for the YWD
because they say they would
'
cult to voice their opinion
when men are present. This is a cultural problem. Although it may be
slowly changing, there is still the feeling that women
find it more di
find it easier to talk
when they are amongst women. We should work on this problem, but it
takes time, perhaps.
ANNE METTE : Ikeda-sensei always talks about respecting women, but what is
it that should be respected? Usually in the West, this means that men and
women should be given equal opportunity to work.
 
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