Tomiko Asari

Pioneered women's education in Japan during the Meiji era, advocating for gender equality in education.

Tomiko Asari (1840–1923) was a Japanese educator who championed women’s rights during Japan’s Meiji Restoration (1868–1912). She founded the Tsuda College, one of Japan’s first women’s schools, emphasizing liberal arts and critical thinking. Despite societal resistance, she trained over 1,000 female teachers and activists. Her advocacy for women’s suffrage and educational reforms influenced Japan’s modern education system. Her memoir, "A Woman’s Journey Through Meiji Japan," details her struggles. Read more at Wikipedia.