Fusako Shigenobu (1945-present) lived undercover for nearly three decades while on INTERPOL’s wanted list. She had been implicated in multiple terror attacks across Europe and the Middle East in the 1970s as the leader of one of Japan’s most mysterious terrorist organizations. For those of you tuning in for the first time, welcome! Here’s the deal: Every weekday, we highlight the stories of iconic women in history you may not know about, but definitely should. We’re talking about women from around the world and throughout history. Each month is themed. This month we’re talking about troublemakers–from women who made “good trouble” to women who thrived in illicit industries to villains in the truest sense of the word.
This month, we're talking about troublemakers–from women who made “good trouble” to women who thrived in illicit industries to villains in the truest sense of the word.
History classes can get a bad wrap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Liz Smith, Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Sundus Hassan, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, and Ale Tejada. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
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Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I’m Jenny Kaplan and this is Womanica.
If you’re tuning in for the first time, here’s the deal. Every weekday, we’re telling the stories of women from around the world and throughout history who you may not know about, but should. Each month is themed.
This month, we’re talking about Troublemakers and Villains. We’re covering stories from across a spectrum, from women who made “good trouble” to women who thrived in illicit industries to villains in the truest sense of the word. All of the women we’re covering had a major impact on the societies in which they lived.
Women, like men, have played good and bad roles in human history. To gloss over women who find less than inspiring is to accept a diminished and inaccurate place in the historical record.
If you’re listening with young children you may want to sit today’s episode out.
Today, we’re talking about a woman who lived undercover for nearly three decades while on INTERPOL’s wanted list. She had been implicated in multiple terror attacks across Europe and the Middle East in the 1970s as the leader of one of Japan’s most mysterious terrorist organizations. Today, we’re talking about Fusako Shigenobu.
Fusako was born in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, on September 28th 1945 -- just a month after the end of World War II. She was dedicated to her studies: after learning her parents would be unable to send her to college, she worked part time for Kikkoman, a soy sauce company, to pay for night classes at Meiji University.
While Fusako was attending school, students worldwide were taking part in anti-war protests. Outside the US, those also took the form of anti-American protests against American occupation of Okinawa. While at school and attending these protests, Fusako became romantically involved with a student leader named Takamaro Tamiya. She grew more interested in the student movement and in 1966 joined a Communist group known as the “Second Bund”. Three years later, she became a leading member in a splinter group called the “Red Army.”
The Japanese Red Army, or JRA, was a radical communist group that intended to become a fully-fledged military organization. The group’s stated goals were to overthrow the Japanese government and monarchy, and attempted to so by violent methods including bombings, kidnappings, and hijackings.
After school, Fusako married a fellow radical, Tsuyoshi Okudaira. In 1971, the two moved out to Beirut, Lebanon, to create an international branch of the JRA. By 1972, Fusako had split off from the JRA due to geographical and ideological differences. Back in Japan, the group had undergone an internal purge of 12 of its members before undergoing a week-long siege involving hundreds of police. By the end of the siege, the JRA in Japan was essentially finished.
In the meantime, Fusako’s international JRA branch had made contact with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, or PFLP, another terrorist organization. The remaining JRA was quite small, and depended on the PFLP for funds and training. This partnership also reflected Fusako’s central ideology: a belief in an “international revolutionary solidarity,” in which revolutionary movements across the world join forces to create a global, socialist revolution.
Fusako headed many of the JRA’s attacks, both on the ground and from its headquarters. Arguably, the JRA’s most notorious-- and most violent-- attack took place on May 30th, 1972, at Tel-Aviv’s main airport. Terrorists from the JRA entered the passenger terminal at the airport and opened fire, killing 26 people and injuring 80. Among those killed was Tsuyoshi, Fusako’s husband.
The JRA remained active for the next 15 years, carrying out hijackings on planes, ferries, and consulates. Another major incident occurred in September of 1974, when the JRA took hostages at the French Embassy in The Hague. This attack put Fusako, the suspected strategist of the attack, on INTERPOL’s wanted list.
Despite her infamy, Fusako remained off the radar for twenty six years. Over the next few decades, the JRA’s presence waned: estimated membership dropped from around 40 at its height to fewer than 10 by 2001.
Fusako was found by officials in a small town outside Osaka in 2000. Despite using a fake identity, passport, and disguise, it was allegedly her particular style of smoking that gave her away: she would puff a cigarette as if it were a pipe, and blew perfect smoke rings.
When she arrived for sentencing in Tokyo, she gave waiting cameras a thumbs-up and told reporters: “I’ll fight on!” In prison later that year, she officially announced the dissolution of the Red Army.
After a long trial, Fusako was sentenced to 20 years in prison in March of 2006. She was charged with the use of a forged passport, aiding others in obtaining a forged passport, and attempted manslaughter for her involvement in the 1974 Hague embassy incident. She is scheduled for release in 2027.
All month, we’re talking about complex women who were villains and troublemakers in their own times.
Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
Talk to you tomorrow!