Harue Kitamura Explained

Harue Kitamura
Office:Mayor of Ashiya, Hyogo
Native Name:北村春江
Term Start:1991
Predecessor:Koroku Yamamura
Successor:Ken Yamanaka
Term End:2003
Native Name Lang:ja
Birth Date:11 July 1928
Birth Place:Kyoto, Japan
Death Place:Nishinomiya, Japan
Awards:Medal of Honor (Japan), Order of the Rising Sun
Alma Mater:Ritsumeikan University
Occupation:Lawyer and politician

Harue Kitamura (11 July 1928 – 13 March 2022) was a Japanese politician, lawyer, and feminist. She is the first woman to be elected mayor of a Japanese city, serving three terms as the mayor of Ashiya, Hyogo.

Early life

Kitamura was born in Kyoto in 1928. Raised in Osaka,[1] in 1952 she graduated from Ritsumeikan University's law department. After experiencing gender discrimination in the workplace, Kitamura decided to become a lawyer to improve conditions and reduce inequality. She became the first Ritsumeikan alumna to pass the bar exam in 1956.

Career

In 1959, Kitamura started working at the Osaka Family Court, then from 1979 until 1991, at the Ashiya Education Commission to chair terms.[2]

Kitamura ran for mayor of Ashiya in 1991 as an independent, and became the first female mayor of a Japanese city.[3] Her main supporters were mothers who supported her plans for public school reform.[4] In 1992 Kitamura was presented with a Medal of Honor.

The Great Hanshin Earthquake occurred during her time in office, and 400 of Ashiya's citizens were killed. With transportation and official communications lines down, Kitamura had to call the mayors of Osaka, Beppu, and Izumo personally to ask for aid. Refugees stayed in city hall for weeks until housing was built.

In 2003 Kitamura retired from political life, and chose not to run for re-election.[5] [6] She was publicly recognized by the governor of Hyogo prefecture, Toshizō Ido, for her work. Kitamura was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, in 2004.[7]

Personal life and death

Kitamura died from aspiration pneumonia in Nishinomiya on 13 March 2022, at the age of 93.[8]

Publications

References

Predecessor:
  • Koroku Yamamura
  • April 1987 - April 1991
    • Mayor of Ashiya, Hyogo
  • 15th, 16th, 17th:
    April 1991 - June 2003
    • Successor:
  • June 2003 - June 2019

    • Notes and References

    1. Web site: Mizukara michi wo kirihiraku: josei no shakai-shinshutu no paionia, Kitamura Harue-shi. Ueda. Erina. 27 October 2008. ritsumei.ac.jp. Ritsumeikan University. ja. Opening the Road by her own hands: Harue Kitamura, the Pioneer of Women's Social Advancement. 2 May 2019.
    2. News: Quake Sways Election Bid of Japan's Only Woman Mayor : Politics: Her opponent claims events show she can't handle bureaucrats or crisis management.. 1995-04-01. Los Angeles Times. 2019-05-02. en-US. 0458-3035.
    3. Book: O'Connor, Karen. Gender and Women's Leadership: A Reference Handbook. Sage Publications. 2010. 9781483305417.
    4. Web site: MOTHERS ELECT JAPAN'S FIRST WOMAN MAYOR. Kuriki. Chieko. 5 May 1991. chicagotribune.com. en-US. 2019-05-02.
    5. News: First female mayor to call it a day. 2003-01-18. The Japan Times Online. 2019-05-02. en-US. 0447-5763.
    6. ja. Dai 15-kai tōitsu chihō-sen shirīzu (3) konki kagiri de intai suru Hyōgo-ken Ashiya shichō kitamura harue-san . Women' S Perspective . The 15th Unified Local Election Series (3): Decided to retire with the current term: Harue Kitamura, Mayor of Ashiya, Hyogo . 547. The Ichikawa Fusae Memorial Association . April 2003. 5–7. 1345-7098.
    7. Web site: Alumni Association NEWS : Our alumni as the awardee of Spring, 2004 has been announced!! - Harue Kitamura, decorated (class of '52). 30 April 2004. ritsumei.ac.jp. Ritsumeikan University.
    8. News: 2022-03-13 . 全国初の女性市長 元芦屋市長の北村春江さん死去 . 2022-03-13 . . Japanese.

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