This course involves a critical examination of women's lives and experiences in modern Japan (late 19C to the present). Readings will include writings by and interviews with Japanese women (in translation) as well as historiographical and analytical secondary sources. Topics covered will include education, suffrage and citizenship, gender equality, war, women's liberation movement, and anti-war activism. We will begin by examining difficulties and obstacles that Japanese women face today, and then look back to the past to identify problems and trends that may have contributed to today's issues. Through readings, discussions, and final paper/presentation, we will discuss difficulties that women have encountered - and continue to encounter - not just in Japan but more generally, and explore possibilities for reducing gender- based discriminations.