Japanese Women and the War Effort

[Peter H]

The militarisation of Showgirls,before and after.

In the second photo they are being trained in proper drill for a stage act.

[Peter H]

Style changes.

From the Western fashions of 1940 to the monpe trousers of 1944.

[Peter H]

Photo from Time-Life's Japan at War.

The last dance,31st October 1940--"the government had ordered all dance halls to close at the stroke of midnight that night as a conservation measure".

[Peter H]

1941--I think this is the actress/singer Otaka Yoshiko
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshiko_Yamaguchi

[Peter H]

Prewar pursuits...

[Peter H]

...replaced by factory toil

[Peter H]

Farmgirls

[Peter H]

From Time-Life

[Peter H]

War propaganda--Kurosawa's The Most Beautiful,1944.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Most_Beautiful

"A look at Japanese female factory workers producing weapon scopes during wartime.Under incredible pressure to increase their production levels,the women struggle to work hard for their country despite physical ailments and exhaustion".

[Brady]

As alwayas Peter, TY for the Pictures.

[hisashi]

In 1941 a decree 国民勤労報国協力令 came into effect authorizing governments to command men (14-40 years old) and unmarried women (14-25) to work for the nation (for example public constructions and war production) within the maximum of 30 days per year. War production companies could apply governments for the allotment of that labor force.
http://www.geocities.jp/nakanolib/rei/rs16-995.htm
In Sep 1943 the government created volunteer labor organization 女子挺身隊 for women of 14-25 years old to serve at the disposal of government.
In Aug 1944 government declared to mobilize 14-40-years-old women to 女子挺身隊 in needs by a new decree 女子挺身勤労令. Later the lower limit became 12 years old.
http://www.geocities.jp/nakanolib/rei/rs19-519.htm
After March 1945 new name 国民義勇隊 was given as a unified designation of various mobilized labor force.

[Peter H]

Thanks hisashi.

Excluding nurses etc did any women serve in the military?

Girl mechanics but this is most likely back at the factory.

[Peter H]

Nurses on hand

[Peter H]

Working for the railways

[Peter H]

Flag waving