Representation of “mill girls” at a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gunma, Japan

Touristic representations at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tomioka Silk Mill (Japan) perpetuate gender injustices by sanitizing and fantasizing the experiences of 'mill girls,' young women exploited in the mill from 1870 to 1940. The study, using a qualitative case approach, reveals that only the prosperous period is highlighted, excluding the struggles faced by female workers. This shift from economic exploitation during operation to recognition injustice post-heritagization underscores tourism's role in perpetuating historical gender inequities.

Maruyama, N. U., & Woosnam, K. M. (2020). Representation of “mill girls” at a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gunma, Japan. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(2-3), 277–294. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1738443