RED
FLOWER
A documentary about feminist activism in Japan
TEASER
In the teaser for The Red Flower unveils the spirited faces of Japan’s feminist movement—protest scenes brimming with energy, heartfelt interviews from activists like Minori Kitahara, Mariko Mitsui, and Yumeno Nito, and glimpses of everyday resilience.
SYNOPSIS
The Red Flower offers an intimate look into Japan’s diverse and evolving feminist movement by following a group of bold and outspoken activists—among them Minori Kitahara, Mariko Mitsui, and Yumeno Nito. Each woman wages her own battle: in the family, in politics, in academia, and on the streets. Through personal stories of resistance, transformation, and daily struggle, the film reveals the many layers of what it means to be a feminist in modern Japan. Alongside them, we also meet male feminists who challenge traditional gender roles and offer their own reflections on a society in flux. What emerges is a multi-perspective portrait of a movement full of courage, contradictions, and hope.
FEMINISM IN JAPAN
The Japanese feminist movement doesn’t have one clear “start date,” but ever since the end of World War II in 1945, countless trailblazers have advanced women’s rights—many of their stories appear in the Red Flower documentary. We interviewed key players at the heart of the movement, and the film itself unfolds right in the midst of their ongoing efforts.
Timeline
1996
Love Piece Club
Love Piece Club is a Japan-based feminist collective and online platform focusing on women’s sexuality, empowerment, and discussions around sex and gender.
Founded in the late 1990s by activist Minori Kitahara, it started as a sex-positive website and store offering women-friendly sex toys, but it quickly became known for fostering open conversations about sexual health, consent, and gender equality—topics that were often taboo in Japan. Over the years, they’ve also held workshops, published articles, and been involved in broader feminist activism, advocating for women’s rights and sexual autonomy.
1999
Anti-Pornography And Prostitution research group
In 1999 the “anti-pornography and prostitution research group“ (APP) was founded by femminist japanese, one of which is Hiroshi Nakasatomi. The goal of the group is to criticise and inform about the inhumane and misogynistic practices of pornography and prositutuion.
2011
Colabo founding
Colabo’s mission is clear and simple: “We are working to create a society in which all girls have clothing, food, shelter, and people they can rely on. A society in which girls in trouble do not find themselves being exploited or exposed to violence.”
Yumeno Nito and Colabo staff, including some who got their life courses restored with Colabo’s help, listen to the girls’ situations, provide food and shelter, often hold deeply personal conversations with them, get legal help from lawyers, accompany them to OBGYNs, and negotiate with city officials and school administrators on their behalf. Its care work has no clear end point, nor does it rely on measurable outcomes to gauge its success, unlike most of public projects.
2017
#Metoo Movement and more
Japan’s feminist movement is gaining momentum, with activists driving change on multiple fronts. The Colabo movement supports young women at risk, while #MeToo has sparked conversations about harassment. Debates on the anti-prostitution law highlight the need for reform that respects sex workers’ rights. More women are entering government, and recent years have seen real progress toward gender equality—proof that determined individuals can make a difference.
2019
First Flower Demo
In 2019, Minori Kitahara and other feminists launched the first Flower Demo to protest sexual violence, and the movement is still ongoing. The protest gave survivors a space to share their stories publicly, challenging deep-seated stigmas and sparking broader debates about consent and justice in Japan.
2023
The Red Flower Production
In 2023, we decided to make this documentary. We flew to Japan, unsure of what we’d find or who we’d meet, but were fortunate to encounter so many inspiring activists who shared their stories and efforts with us.
today
The future of japanese
feminism
Gender identity and equality are increasingly on the agenda in Japan. High-profile cases are reaching international audiences, while global perspectives are helping to shape progress at home. There’s still a long way to go, but these steps are building a more inclusive society.