ABSTRACT
Kato Shidzue believed that Occupation officials would support people like herself in their quest for adequate economic welfare for women and children, protection of families in which husband and wife were equal, and individual social and political freedom with justice for all. Ichikawa Fusae, the leading spokeswoman for women's suffrage, admitted that given the choice women would choose sugar over suffrage, that is, food over political rights. But she envisioned a bright future through education and growth which would result from participation in the new political system. If women were to become fully equal with men in all aspects of their political and social lives both the Constitution and the Civil Code of 1898 would have to be substantially changed. Shidzue and her colleagues recognized immediately that any hope of achieving their political goals would necessitate using informal political methods which enlisted public and media support.
