Tokyo, Japan – The vibrant tapestry of Japan’s morning television is interwoven with the historical threads of pioneering women, highlighted in the popular NHK series “Tora ni Tsubasa” (The Tiger and Her Wings). The drama, which has captivated Japanese viewers since its debut, pulls its narrative from the life of Inotsume Tomoko, a character inspired by one of Japan’s first female lawyers, Mibuchi Yoshiko.
Yoshiko, who was born in Singapore in 1914 and later moved to the bustling district of Shibuya, Tokyo, grew up during a transformative era in Japan. Her father, Sadao, was a forward-thinking individual who encouraged her pursuits in fields typically reserved for men, such as economics, politics, and law, despite her mother’s concerns about her marriage prospects.
The Taisho era (1912-1926), a period marked by liberal movements and the emergence of the “new woman,” profoundly influenced Yoshiko. Women across Japan began to challenge societal norms, writing about controversial topics like abortion and entering professions previously closed to them.
Yoshiko’s educational journey was a testament to the shifting societal foundations. Despite the challenges posed by prevailing laws which prevented women from becoming lawyers, the activism of suffragettes and reforms led to universities slowly opening doors to female law students. Yoshiko eventually enrolled at Meiji University’s Law School, specifically established for women, where she graduated and, against all odds, passed the bar examination in 1938 alongside two other women, making history.
Her career as a lawyer began amidst the turmoil of World War II, a challenging time that saw her personal life intertwined with the nation’s strife. Despite personal losses, including the death of her husband and parents, she rose in the legal profession, which was significantly transformed by the post-war occupation led by allied forces.
One of the monumental changes brought by the occupation was the reformation of Japan’s legal system, which saw women like Yoshiko entering roles formerly inaccessible to them, such as judgeships. Yoshiko thrived in this new era, eventually traveling to the United States to study the judicial system, further broadening her understanding and appreciation for legal reforms.
Throughout her career, Yoshiko faced various high-profile cases, including the renowned A-bomb trial, where she was part of a triumvirate overseeing the litigation against the Japanese government by survivors of the atomic bombings. The case, complicated and laden with international scrutiny, concluded with a ruling that, while deeming the bombings unlawful, denied compensation claims due to treaty stipulations.
Yoshiko’s influence extended beyond the courtroom. She was dedicated to transforming the judicial system to be more accommodating and less intimidating for families involved in litigation. Her efforts to humanize the austere environment of legal proceedings extended to her presidency at several family courts, where she was known for her empathetic approach to handling cases.
Her legacy lives on through the series “Tora ni Tsubasa,” as well as the tangible increases in female representation in Japan’s legal professions. Women now constitute a significant percentage of the legal field, reflecting the doors Yoshiko and her peers opened decades ago.
The life of Mibuchi Yoshiko is not just a story of personal triumph but a parallel narrative to Japan’s own transformation—a tale of resilience and reform that continues to inspire and resonate through Japanese society and media. The series, maintaining a robust viewership, demonstrates the enduring appeal and relevance of such pioneering stories in today’s cultural landscape.