ABSTRACT
This work focuses on the representation of “Nanshin Josei” who worked in Nan’yō as civilian employees in literary works in the 1940s, and their self-expressions in discussion meeting records published in magazines. By examining how women writers supported the nationalization of Japanese women and portrayed the “Nanshin Josei” under the influence of imperialism during the Asia-Pacific War, this work presents the artificial image of admirable “Nanshin Josei” in history. Moreover, women who failed to adapt to the image are also highlighted in this research. The roles of “Nanshin Josei” in creating the admirable image are discussed by analyzing their speeches, or in another word, their performance, presented in the discussion meetings according to the records published in magazines between 1943 and 1944.
