Report on Publicly Invited Research

Fukushima Gender Equality Center invites scholarly research from all over the country to identify issues to be addressed in order to build a gender equal society and find solutions to these challenges.
We have compiled a report on two studies carried out as the second public research program for FY 2003 and 2004, which is outlined in a separate sheet.

（Publicly Invited Research 2003-2004）
Title of research:"Violence Against Women Hidden in Intimate Relationships － Issues in Japan brought into perspective through comparison of policies with Korea －"
Representative for research: Hideki Watanabe (Professor, Keio University Faculty of Letters) Eight other researchers.
Purpose of research: This report brings to light political issues with respect to violence against women in the private sphere in Japan by means of theoretical research and questionnaire and interview surveys.
［Summary］

Title of research:"An Empirical Study of Male Attitudes to Sex － A historical representation of sexuality and field work about the sex industry －"
Researchers: Haruka Wazaki (Professor, Nagoya University Graduate School of Letters) Three other researchers.
Purpose of research: This report, by means of an empirical study, illustrates male attitudes and behavior with regard to sex, which until now has rarely been the subject of study, with particular emphasis on how they exist in relation to “commercialized sex,” which is representative of the sex industry.
［Summary］

（Publicly Invited Research 2001- 2002）
Title of research:"Gender Equality in the Decision-Making Processes of the National and Local Governments - Positive Action in the World and Practical Challenges Facing Japan"
Representative for research: Miyoko TSUJIMRA (Professor, Tohoku University Graduate School of Law) Nine other researchers.
Purpose of research: Study of the theme mentioned above by analyzing legal structures in the United States and in European countries, and recommendations for concrete strategies to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women by the national and local governments, communities, universities, and corporations.
［Summary］

Title of research:"Research on Age Discrimination against Women"
Researchers: Hideo OKAMOTO (Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities, Sophia University) and one other researcher.
Purpose of research: By questionnaire survey and interviews, research aims to clarify how women’s employment opportunities are reduced by age discrimination; whether there is any difference in the basis for age discrimination between men and women; and what kind of gender concept influences such differences. Also to build up a clearer picture of age discrimination through analysis and examination of the survey results.
［Summary］