Megumi Yasu serves as poster girl for female firefighter recruitment drive

Thursday 12th February, 04:32 AM JST

TOKYO —

Actress-model Megumi Yasu, 27, has been enlisted by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency to promote their recruitment drive for female firefighters. A representative from the FDMA said that while the total number of firefighters in Japan was decreasing, the number of female staff is slightly increasing and currently totaled around 17,000 women, and said they were hoping to boost their numbers to 100,000.

Yasu, who features in the agency’s recruitment posters and advertisements, received a certificate of appreciation from Masatoshi Kurata, vice minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Yasu said: “People usually think of men when they think of firefighters, but I want everyone to know that there are a lot of female firefighters out there as well. The job sounds like it’s too physically demanding, but women can do it too. If I wasn’t a celebrity, I’d like to join. I’m thinking about it.”

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Latest 15 of 35 Total Comments Show All

earthcreature at 12:40 PM JST - 12th February

with hawt chix like that!! where do i sign up!! :P :P hahah

"Why does everything in this country have to be accompanied by a childish mascot?"

And hawt chicks??... well i guess chicks are used in every country.... hahahah
wontond at 12:52 PM JST - 12th February

Why don't they use actual female firefighters in the ad campaign? I think the a woman contemplating a career as a firefighter would identify more with them than an actress/model. Cuteness doesn't work all the time.
Stonefish at 12:56 PM JST - 12th February

It says a lot about the Japanese male psyche that they might be more drawn to a lego-land figure than to the macho image of doing battle with the elements to save property, life and limb.
Yeah, I know - we don't need another hero. And BTW I have worked with many a female fire-fighter and let me assure readers that (ready for the cringe?) they can do just as good a job as any bloke!
whitepocky at 01:04 PM JST - 12th February

Agree with wontond. Why don't they use actual female firefighters over some tarento bint!! As for reaching the magical mark of 100,000, I think that figure is a bit optimistic.
knowitall at 02:13 PM JST - 12th February

What she is recruiting for is local volunteer fire brigades消防団, not the actual municipal full-time fire brigades消防署. Every community has one and they back up the actual fire department, rarely rushing into a burning building. They also provide manpower for searches for missing old ladies and small children and help out at community festivals and other events. They have many duties that do not require a high level of physical strength, so women who are at home during the day can be an important source of manpower (womanpower?). Japan Today has again translated their news in a misleading way...
30061015 at 04:26 PM JST - 12th February

Why even rescue victims from burning buildings if they will be turned away by 17 hospitals and die in transit? Could this be the real reason for female "fire fighters", or are there simply no more real men left in Japan? And why the hell do the cartoon puppets look angry while they are smiling? Megumi, if you can answer these questions, you can put out my fire.
Potsu at 05:33 PM JST - 12th February

Why would she want to make you join ?? What on earth is the logic ?? She would be the last type of women joining...might make more boys sign up though.
whitepocky at 06:13 PM JST - 12th February

It seems they just pluck some random people to advertise anything these days. What the relation between her and firefighters is I don't know. Of all the tarento, there must be one out there whose dad/brother/sister must be in part of the wellie wearing brigade!!!
zaichik at 07:39 PM JST - 12th February

What she is recruiting for is local volunteer fire brigades消防団, not the actual municipal full-time fire brigades消防署

Ah, suddenly everything becomes clear. Hmmmm....if they get more female members, the oyaji-tachi that dominate the shouboudan at present will have to forego the regular drinking parties with paid female companions, which seemed to be their sole motivation for enrolling in these groups, according to my ex.
TokyoHustla at 01:27 AM JST - 13th February

Firefighters near me job around the neighborhood all day, ensuring that t hey will be exhausted when a fire does break out.
airrunwesker at 02:43 AM JST - 13th February

GRRRR! From the photo I thought this was some new twisted anime!
yawmin at 03:01 AM JST - 13th February

wontond, cuteness works all the time for me. . . -=p
usaexpat at 06:31 AM JST - 13th February

She can save me from a burining building anytime. Wait she can just drop by anytime no fire needed.
Yelena at 05:48 PM JST - 13th February

Very strange recrutment compaign, why cartoons? The matter is serious, i thought.
jonnyboy at 05:56 PM JST - 17th February

Very strange recrutment compaign, why cartoons? The matter is serious, i thought.

you haven't been to japan, have you