"In the beginning, woman was the sun," is the famous manifesto issued by Raicho Hiratsuka, Japan's pioneer feminist, nearly 90 years ago. Her character, however, remains little known except among researchers of her achievements.
Efforts to shed light on Hiratsuka's personality have been made by Japan's leading female documentary director, Sumiko Haneda, 74, who plans to shoot a new film this year for release in 2001, the 30th anniversary of the feminist's death.
Hiratsuka's followers have launched a nationwide campaign to collect 50 million yen to produce the film, which is intended to raise awareness among the public, especially the young, about the women's liberation trailblazer.