Transnational Feminism

Abstract

In scholarly discussion of the comfort women issue as a site for pursuing transnational feminism, the positionality of Japanese women has been examined as victims and as accomplices. An intense debate between Ueno Chizuko and Kim Pu-ja has taken place about how feminism could transcend nationalism. In her narrative, Nakahara Michiko, a historian, demonstrates an intricate way in which women from Japan and other Asian countries achieved transnational solidarity at the site of the movement, suggesting that Japanese people need to accept themselves as citizens of the perpetrator state regardless of their personal identifications. The narrative of Bang Chung-ja gives insight into the delicate nature of interaction between resident Korean activists and Japanese activists while pointing to the intersectional nature of the comfort women issue. Yoneda Mai is one generation younger than many Japanese activists, but her story echoes other stories in terms of respect for survivors, critical historical consciousness, and resistance to imperialist feminism.