In the 6th episode of Humans of ISC65, we would like to introduce to you Hikari Ono, an advocate of [Table 2: The Feminist Perspectives on Wars and Conflicts]! Hikari is currently a junior at Waseda University and just came back from her study abroad in Washington D.C!
"No matter where they live, gender equality should be achieved.
However, in some countries, women are not even allowed to give their voice."
Q１. Please tell us what are the reasons/motivations that made you apply for ISC65?
Hi! I’m Hikari Ono. Please call me Hikari!
I am a junior at Waseda University. My major is Political Economy and I’ve just finished my
exchange program in May in Washington DC. I really miss DC, but feel relaxed at my home.
I like to play the clarinet. I’ve played it since I was in junior high school.
The reason I decided to join ISC is that I wanted to maintain my English skill that improved
through studying abroad, and that my interest in women’s empowerment matched with the
table topic. When I saw the post from ISC in instagram, I thought that I should grab this
precious chance.
I really looking forward to participating in ISC and meeting with a lot of students from all of
the world!
Q２.What do you think about your table’s topic?
Gender disparity is the large issue in global society today. Especially in conflict zone, a lot of
women suffer from rape and HIV.
No matter where they live, gender equality should be achieved.
However, in some countries, women are not even allowed to give their voice. In Japan, I am
able to talk about these issues openly, but I should keep in mind that it is not the same for other people in different countries.
Feminism is not for a few women who is angry about gender gap, but for everyone who
questions the difference which should not exist.
To take part in this topic, I will immerse myself into this case, and think as “my issue”. At the
same time, I will try not to believe in myself too much, and always have broad perspective.
Q3. Can you tell us a little bit about your hometown?
I’m from Nerima, Tokyo.
The best thing of Tokyo is that there is so many places to enjoy. You won’t get bored of
entertainment like shopping, food, and culture. My favorite place is Kichijyoji. It is not as
crowded as Shibuya and Harajyuku, and there is both modern cafes and old small restaurants. I
always go shopping to Kichijyoji.
Where I live, Nerima, is northern district of Tokyo.
It is famous for Nerima Daikon, which is a vegetable kind of radish. Nerima Daikon is larger
than normal daikon. When I was in elementary school, there was a cafeteria menu called
Nerima Daikon spaghetti, which use Nerima Daikon and tuna as a sauce. (Please see the
photo)
Even though there are less than before, there are a lot of farm in Nerima. We can buy fresh
vegetables from farmers. Other than daikon, there are a lot of blue berry farm near my house,
and you can pick them by yourself.
Also, unlike other cities, there is a festival in winter. A lot of places hold summer festival with
traditional dance and food, but there is similar thing in winter in my hometown. There is no
dance, but a lot of street venders gather to that festival, so I am always excited to eat them.