月: 2020年6月

By Martina Cavallaro “Sumo is the sport of gods.” says Hiyori Kon at the beginning of the documentary Little Miss Sumo. Hiyori is a 22 years old sumo wrestler who wants to erase gender discrimination in the sumo culture. Little Miss Sumo – released on Netflix last October – shows her battle against those stigmas that are preventing women like Hiyori to become champions in the Japanese sport. “In the old days, only men practiced sumo. Because of this tradition, some people don’t like us.” tells Hiyori while we see her training alone surrounded by the sea. Indeed, sumo is considered more than a sport in Japan. It’s not only …

Little Miss Sumo もっと読む »

By Christian Wolfer Yoshie Agata is a self-taught software engineer in her 20’s, originally from Osaka, but she has been living in Tokyo and around the world for the last few years. I first met her at a tech and diversity event, where I quickly noticed her strong command of English and unapologetic confidence. Impressed by her well-reflected and sharp-minded opinions, I was eager to find out what shaped her confidence and comfort with herself, as well as just where she acquired all those international accents from. It’s quite rare to meet someone your age with such a confident presence and mature mind. Have you always been so confident and …

The Path to Happiness もっと読む »

By Martina Cavallaro In the last few months, Tampon Tax has been at the center of many discussions. Last October, Japan raised the consumption tax from 8% to 10%. While daily necessities – such as food and groceries – stay at 8%, other goods which are not essential in the everyday life are subjected to the raise. Among those, we find menstrual products, which are considered the same as alcohol or a dinner at a restaurant once in a while. Are menstrual products as worth as a vice? A woman’s period is treated as a luxury, which deserves to be paid for, rather than a biological condition. Menstrual products are …

Tampon Tax and the monetary value of a woman’s period もっと読む »