A recent Tokyo Metropolitan Government announcement that it plans to abolish the Tokyo Women's Foundation to save tax money has sparked protests among citizens' groups promoting gender equality.
Although the metro government said it will continue to promote gender-equality issues, feminists worry that the foundation's demise signifies a step away from moves to create an equal society.
"I never imagined the metropolitan government would move to abolish the foundation after it has just established an ordinance on men and women's equal participation in society," said Mitsuko Yamaguchi, a foundation trustee and executive director of the Fusae Ichikawa Memorial Association, a leading feminist organization.