May 2011
A Pioneering Life of the First Female TV Cameraman in Japan
Takashi Shibata
“Testimony on the History of Broadcasting” is a project to create an oral history of broadcasting by gleaning reminiscences from people who have contributed to the development of broadcasting. This issue features the first female camera operator in Japan, Ayuko Kaneko (77), in the hitherto male-dominated world of news reporting.
Ms. Kaneko joined NHK in 1955. Although initially assigned to the personnel section, she had a strong desire to directly involve in broadcasts, and, in her second year, managed to switch to a foreign news section. When she was standing by, she also helped the domestic news team. She built up experience and made various achievements such as reporting from the female athletes’ village at the Asian Games or providing scoop footage of future princess Michiko, which eventually led to her being appointed camera operator, the very first female in this profession in Japan. After taking up the post, she was known for her sensitive approach to her subject matters, as well as for her reporting on the female athletes’ village at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Ms. Kaneko, one of the first female professionals in Japan’s broadcasting history, sends the following message.
-Unlike in the past, when job opportunities were limited for women, women nowadays are afforded ample professional opportunities. Women have a lot to contribute in terms of sensitivity and flexibility, and given more professional latitude, their abilities can go further afield. Japanese corporations need to work harder to put in place systems to tap into the potential of women.
-Meanwhile, women should not give up and keep on working. They need to take the initiative and put forward suggestions, and break ground in more diverse areas, untrammeled by precedent.
Ms. Kaneko spared no effort to create opportunity for herself. Although, in those days, Labor Standards Act prohibited work by women past midnight and restrictions for working women were many, she forged on, assiduously helping other teams until she became the first female camera operator in Japan. Rather than just going down the paved road, she paved a road for herself. Here is a lesson to take to heart: passion to challenge oneself and courage to take action.