Japanese Ex-Soldier Receives US Award for Her Anti-Sexual Harassment Campaign

Last updated on March 6th, 2024 at 01:34 pm

Rina Gonoi, a former soldier of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), has been honored with the International Women of Courage Award by the United States for her fight against sexual harassment in the Japanese military. Gonoi, 24, is one of the 12 recipients of the award, which recognizes women who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights, women’s empowerment, and social justice.

Gonoi joined the JSDF in 2018, after being inspired by the aid she received from them as an evacuee of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. However, she faced sexual harassment and assault from her male colleagues, who pinned her down and simulated a sex act on her in 2021. She reported the incident to her superiors, but they ignored her complaint and blamed her for causing trouble. She decided to quit the military and sue her attackers in civil court.

In December 2023, a Japanese court ruled in her favor and ordered the three former soldiers to pay her 3.3 million yen ($30,000) in damages. The court also recognized that the JSDF had failed to protect her from sexual violence and to provide adequate support and compensation. The verdict was a landmark case for Japan, where sexual harassment and assault in the military are often overlooked and underreported.

Gonoi’s courage to speak out and seek justice inspired many other survivors of sexual abuse in the military to come forward with their own stories. Her case also prompted the defense ministry to issue a public apology and to conduct a nationwide survey of harassment in the JSDF and its affiliated organizations. The survey found that more than 1,400 cases of harassment were reported in 2023, and that more than 80% of the victims were women.

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Gonoi said that she was happy to receive the US award, and that she hoped to give courage to other people who are suffering from sexual harassment and assault. She also said that she wanted to see more changes in the Japanese military and society, where women and men can work together to create a better and safer environment.

The US State Department said that Gonoi’s bravery to challenge the social norms and the institutional culture of the JSDF had emboldened countless survivors of abuse to break their silence and to demand accountability. The department also said that Gonoi was a role model for many people, especially the young, who aspire to make a positive difference in the world.

The International Women of Courage Award was established in 2007 to honor women who have shown extraordinary courage and leadership in advancing the rights and well-being of others, often at great personal risk. The award ceremony will be held on March 4, 2024, in Washington, D.C., and will be hosted by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and First Lady Jill Biden.