¡°In the beginning, woman was the sun,¡± is the famous manifesto issued by Raicho Hiratsuka, Japan¡¯s pioneer feminist, nearly 90 years ago. Her character, however, remains little known except among researchers of her achievements.

Efforts to shed light on Hiratsuka¡¯s personality have been made by Japan¡¯s leading female documentary director, Sumiko Haneda, 74, who plans to shoot a new film this year for release in 2001, the 30th anniversary of the feminist¡¯s death.

Hiratsuka¡¯s followers have launched a nationwide campaign to collect 50 million yen to produce the film, which is intended to raise awareness among the public, especially the young, about the women¡¯s liberation trailblazer.