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There is a relatively good relationship between women in Korea and Japan, though there are many problems among the women in the churches in Asia. She pointed out efforts to reconcile groups among the churches of the Philippines, and that there is mutual isolation at the Indonesian women's desk. She also noted that, for the past five years, the role of women in the church has gradually improved. In the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, even up to the year 1992, she was not able to hear anything about WICAS, when Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro visited Tokyo. She felt that, perhaps without WICAS, Lutheran churches in Japan would not be able to know about gender issues in the church.
In order to be a church where women can be empowered, she suggested that the goal for women's participation should be set at least 30-40 percent in the first stage, with the final goal being, of course, 50-50. The Family has encountered many new problems in the past decade, amidst the rapid social changes in Asia, traditional ideas have been cast aside and new mothers tend to seek new values. "Where should the church tell people the Gospel?" asked Hoshino. "People still need the Gospel, we still need the Church, and also church still needs the full contribution of women as the body of Christ." ![]()