学生外刊阅读4 Japanese Women Want a Law Against Mandator

Japanese Women Want a Law Against Mandatory Heels at Work
① Japan is the latest battleground for women revolting against the
tyranny of high heels, as a fledgling movement seeks government
protection from workplaces that require the footwear.
① Thousands of supporters have rallied behind the hashtag #KuToo —
a pun based on the Japanese words for shoe (kutsu) and pain (kutsuu).
① It was started by Yumi Ishikawa, a 32-year-old actress who said she had to change career paths after having difficulty standing in heels for eight hours during training at a hotel.
① She submitted a petition to the labor ministry this week, signed by more than 18,000 people, that called for a law barring employers from forcing women to wear high heels.
① In Japan, a country of rigid gender roles, the government has tried with mixed success to empower women in the workplace, and the #KuToo movement is a reminder of what some see as a very specific obstacle in their path.
① As in other countries, high heels are seen by plenty of women as empowering and attractive, entirely worth any discomfort. It’s a never-ending debate.
① For some women, it’s a matter of livelihood, not optics. Those unable or unwilling to grin and bear the pain must divert themselves away from industries where the footwear is expected — but only expected for women, while men wear perfectly comfortable shoes.
Word Bank
1.mandatory /'mændətɔri/ adj. 强制的，命令的（更侧重因为有法律或者条款的规定而强制性的要求）the mandatory retirement age 法定退休年龄
the mandatory drug test （运动员）药检
· compulsory /kəmˈpʌlsərɪ/ adj. 强制的，义务的
compulsory education 义务教育
compulsory military service 义务服兵役
2.heel /hiːl/ n. 鞋跟high heels 高跟鞋
3.revolt against 反抗revolt 和rebel 的区别
revolt 成功是革命revolution 且revolt 既可作及物动词也可做不及物动词
revolt 失败是造反rebellion 且rebel 只可作不及物动词
4.fledgling /'fledʒlɪŋ/ adj. 刚刚开始的，尚未成熟的（一个人或组织开始展露头脚，但是immature, inexperienced, or underdeveloped）fledgling industries 新兴工业
fledgling directors 新秀导演
fledgling footballers 新秀球员
a fledgling movement 一场方兴未艾的运动
5.protection from sth. 免受……之害protect sb. from sth. 保护某人免受某物之害
I’ll protect her from the rumors.
我要保护她，让她免遭流言蜚语的中伤。

He tried to protect Kelly from the attack.
他试着保护Kelly 不受攻击。

6.tyranny /ˈtɪrəni/ n. 暴政tyranny of the majority
多数人的暴政
7.rally /'rælɪ/ vi. 集结，团结We must rally round the Party.
我们必须团结在党的周围。

Rally to me, and we will win!
向我集合，我们必胜！
8.have difficulty doing sth. 做某事有困难I’m having difficulty concentrating.
我现在注意力很难集中。

I’m having difficulty falling asleep.
我现在难以入眠。

9.submit /səb'mɪt/ vt. 递交submit an application 递交申请
submit a claim 递交声明
submit a proposal 提交建议
submit sth. to sb. 向某人递交某物
bor ministry （全称：Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare）厚生劳动省，简称厚劳省，是日本中央省厅之一，主要负责医疗卫生和社会保障等政策领域。

11.bar /bɑː/ vt. 禁止，阻拦bar sb. from doing sth. 禁止某人做某事
They barred him from leaving the country.
他们禁止他出境。

12.call for 呼吁
13.rigid /'rɪdʒɪd/ adj. 刻板的，死板的，严苛的
14.mixed success 成败参半；喜忧参半Xiaomi’s expansion has had mixed success outside China.
在中国以外的地区，小米的扩张有成功也有失败。

I’ve tried different strategies, with mixed success.
我尝试了各种各样的策略，成败参半。

15.empower /ɪm'paʊə, em'paʊə/ vt. 赋权；使......自主（to give someone more control over their own life or situation）
16.reminder /rɪ'maɪndə/ n. 提醒，提示a reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving
关于酒后驾车种种危险的警示
17.worth /wɜːθ/ adj. 值得……的You are worth the wait.
你是值得等待的。

It is worth the time.
这事儿值得花时间的。

18.grin /grɪn/ vi. 咧嘴笑
19.divert sth. away 转移某物divert attention away
转移注意力
Part of the purpose of entertainment is to divert us away from the hardship of everyday life.
娱乐的一部分目的是让我们远离艰苦的日常生活。