2 Japanese Named on BBC 100 Women 2024 List
The BBC has named two Japanese on its annual list of 100 inspiring and influential women in the world.
Comedian Watanabe Naomi is “one of Japan’s most famous influencers. She has broken down barriers in male-dominated Japanese comedy, starring as a female main character and creating hit sketch shows.” She is also credited for helping to change body stereotypes in Japan. “Watanabe is … spearheading a body-positive movement known as pochakawaii, which translates to “chubby and cute”. She launched one of Japan’s first brands to offer plus-size clothing. After achieving great success in Japanese TV and film, she has now moved to the US to break onto the global comedy stage.”
Yumi Suzuki had sued the government over forced sterilizations. Born with cerebral palsy, she was discriminated against from a young age and subjected to sterilization surgery at age 12. The BBC says that Suzuki won a Supreme Court ruling in July that ordered the government to compensate victims of forced sterilizations.
Among other nationals are stranded astronaut Sunita Williams, rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot, actress Sharon Stone, Olympic athletes Rebeca Andrade and Allyson Felix, singer Raye, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, visual artist Tracey Emin, climate campaigner Adenike Oladosu and writer Cristina Rivera Garza. Also named are an African miner, a women’s shelter manager, US senator, forest campaigner, designer, doctor, singer, writer and artist, among others.
“From facing deadly conflicts and humanitarian crises in Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine and Sudan, to witnessing the polarisation in societies that followed a record number of elections around the world, women have had to dig deep and find new levels of resilience,” the British broadcaster said.
“BBC 100 Women acknowledges the toll this year has taken on women by celebrating those who—through their resilience—are pushing for change, as the world changes around them. The list also remains committed to exploring the impact of the climate emergency, highlighting climate pioneers who work to help their communities tackle its impacts.”
See the full list here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-4f79d09b-655a-42f8-82b4-9b2ecebab611