The global #MeToo movement had no significant impact in Japan, and many survivors of sexual violence are too afraid to report their aggressors, despite some media cases that forced a shift in Japanese society.
TremendousCircus is a theater company that describes itself as radically feminist and uses the stage to denounce misogyny and sexism in Japan. The young performers publicly express their anger about the rapes and sexism they have suffered.
The company embraces the exuberant Gothic Lolita aesthetic, with doll-like dresses and voluminous skirts, as a powerful symbol of the female condition and as a form of defense against sexual violence, combining "cute" fashion with strong political messages.
The TremendousCircus performance represents an alternative form of fighting gender discrimination in Japan, where the #MeToo movement failed to gain momentum, offering survivors a safe space to share their experiences.
