Continuation of Feminism in Japan

I chose to continue my focus on Asia for the 2nd half of the project. First, I wanted to discuss Japan.
Women's movements in Japan stemmed from male-led liberalization movements. These movements gave women the motivation to starts feminist movements. Many of these focused on changing the motherly, non-working image stereotyped onto women by generations of chauvinistic men, causing many to question Japanese society itself. In the background of these movements, women after World War II were allowed to work, but only if they did not have infant children to care for; as opposed to societies where men would sometimes support their wives' careers, tradition proclaimed that women were homemakers; the limited rights given to women only furthered their push for rights.
I'm curious about why these movements started after the war instead of before. Other countries, mainly in Europe, had already given women rights before the war. If Japan really wanted to be considered a Great Power, shouldn't it give women rights before it is required?