Ichikawa, Fusaye (1893–1981)

Japanese feminist and politician. In 1924 she formed the Women's Suffrage League in Japan. Following World War II she became head of the New Japan Women's League, which secured the vote for women in 1945, and went on to fight for their wider rights. She campaigned against legalized prostitution and served in the Japanese Diet (parliament) 1953–71, where she continued to press for an end to bureaucratic corruption. After defeat in 1971 she was returned to parliament in 1974 and 1980.

Starting her working life as a teacher, she moved to Tokyo as a young woman and became involved in politics and feminism. She helped to found the New Women's Association in about 1920, which successfully fought for the right of women to attend political meetings. During her time in the USA 1921–24 she was impressed by the US suffrage movement.