LGBTQ rights in Japan

This article is about LGBTQ legal rights in Japan. For a general overview, see Homosexuality in Japan.

LGBTQ rights in Japan
Japan
StatusNot criminalized since 1882
Gender identityLegal sex changes allowed since 2004, requiring sex reassignment surgery
MilitaryLGBT people allowed to serve openly
Discrimination protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity protected in some cities and prefectures, though not nationally[1]
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNo national legal recognition of same-sex relationships, some localities offer partnership certificates
AdoptionNo recognition nationally, some localities provide accommodations

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Japan have fewer legal protections than in most other developed countries,[2][3] although some developments towards stronger rights have been made in the 2020s.[4] Same-sex sexual activity was criminalised only briefly in Japan's history between 1872 and 1881, after which a localised version of the Napoleonic Penal Code was adopted with an equal age of consent.[5] Same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are ineligible for the legal protections available to opposite-sex couples, although since 2015 some cities and prefectures, covering over 60% of the population by 2023, offer "partnership certificates" to recognise the relationships of same-sex couples and provide some legal benefits. Japan is the only country in the G7 that does not legally recognize same-sex unions nationally in any form.[6][7] In March 2021 and May 2023, the Sapporo and Nagoya District Courts ruled that not recognising same-sex marriage was a violation of the Constitution respectively.[8][9] While in June 2022, the Osaka District Court ruled that not recognising same-sex marriage was not a violation of the Constitution,[10] in November 2022, the Tokyo District Court ruled that the absence of same-sex marriage legislation was an unconstitutional state of affairs but did not violate the Constitution,[11] though the court's ruling has no immediate legal effect.[12] In June 2023, the Fukuoka District Court ruled that the ban on same-sex marriage was constitutional.[13] A second ruling in September 2023 concluded that same-sex relationships should not be excluded from Japan's marriage system.[14]

Japan's culture and major religions do not have a history of hostility towards homosexuality.[15] A 2019 poll indicated that 68 percent of the respondents agreed that homosexuality should be accepted by society, while 22 percent disagreed.[16] Although many political parties have not openly supported or opposed LGBTQ rights, there are several openly LGBTQ politicians in office. The conservative Liberal Democratic Party, Japan's leading political party, remains opposed to same-sex marriage,[17] while two other major parties, the liberal Constitutional Democratic Party and libertarian Innovation Party both favor same-sex marriage. As of 2023, marriage equality movements have been gaining prominence within the nation.[18] A law allowing transgender individuals to change their legal gender post-sex reassignment surgery and sterilization was passed in 2003. The sterilization requirement was unanimously ruled by the Japanese Supreme Court to be unconstitutional in October 2023, removing the requirement.[19] Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is banned in some cities, including Tokyo.[20]

Tokyo Rainbow Pride has been held annually since 2012, with attendance increasing every year.[21] A 2015 opinion poll reflected that the majority of its respondents supported the legalization of same-sex marriage.[22] Further opinion polls conducted over the following years have found high levels of support for same-sex marriage among the Japanese public, most notably the younger generation.[23][24] However, a 2020 survey of over 10,000 LGBTQ people in Japan found that 38 percent of LGBTQ people had been harassed or assaulted.[25]

History

Main article: Homosexuality in Japan
A wakashū (wearing headscarf) sneaks a kiss from a female prostitute behind his patron's back. Nishikawa Sukenobu (1671–1750)

Homosexuality and same-sex relations have been documented in Japan since ancient times. One Shinto myth describes same-sex love as being introduced by the couple Shinu no Hafuri and Ama no Hafuri, servants of a "primordial goddess", presumably Amaterasu. Following Shinu's death, Ama killed himself, and the two were buried in the same grave.[26]

In the pre-Meiji era, nanshoku (男色) relationships inside Buddhist monasteries were typically pederastic. The older partner, or nenja (念者, "lover" or "admirer"), would be a monk, priest or abbot, while the younger partner was assumed to be an acolyte (稚児, chigo), who would be a prepubescent or adolescent boy.[27] The relationship would be dissolved once the boy reached adulthood (or left the monastery). Both parties were encouraged to treat the relationship seriously and conduct the affair honorably, and the nenja might be required to write a formal vow of fidelity.[28] During the Tokugawa period, some of the Shinto gods, especially Hachiman, Myoshin, Shinmei and Tenjin, "came to be seen as guardian deities of nanshoku" (male–male love).

From religious circles, same-sex love spread to the warrior (samurai) class, where it was customary for a boy in the wakashū age category to undergo training in the martial arts by apprenticing to a more experienced adult man. The relationship was based on the typical nenja, who loves, and the typically younger chigo, who is loved.[29] The man was permitted, if the boy agreed, to take the boy as his lover until he came of age.[30] These relationships were expected to be exclusive, with both partners swearing to take no other (male) lovers.

As Japan progressed into the Meiji era, same-sex practices continued; however, there was a growing animosity towards these practices. The practice of nanshoku began to die out after the Russo-Japanese War. Opposition to homosexuality did not become firmly established in Japan until the 19th and 20th centuries, through the Westernization efforts of the Empire of Japan, although it was only criminalized between 1872 and 1881.[29]

Terminology

Modern Japanese terms for LGBTQ people include seitekishōsūsha (性的少数者, "sexual minorities").[31]

  • dōseiaisha (同性愛者, literally "same-sex-love person")
    • homosekusharu (ホモセクシャル, "homosexual")
    • rezubian (レズビアン, "lesbian")
    • gei (ゲイ, "gay")
  • ryōseiaisha (両性愛者, literally "both-sex-love person")
    • baisekushuaru (バイセクシュアル, "bisexual")
  • toransujendā (トランスジェンダー, "transgender").[32]

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

See also: Age of consent in Asia

There are no explicit religious prohibitions against homosexuality in the traditional religion of Japan, Shinto, or in the imported religions of Buddhism (see "Buddhism and sexual orientation"); however Chinese Confucianism prohibited homosexual marriage which may have also influenced Chinese Buddhism.[33]

Sodomy was first criminalized in Japan in 1872, in the early Meiji era, to comply with the newly introduced beliefs of Western culture and the Qing legal codes. But this provision was repealed only seven years later by the Penal Code of 1880 (commenced in 1882) in accordance with the Napoleonic Penal Code.[34] Since then, Japan has had no laws against homosexuality. Thus, sexual activity among consenting adults, in private, regardless of gender and/or sexual orientation, is legal under Japanese law. Since June 2023, age of consent has been set at 16 years.[35]

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Main articles: Recognition of same-sex unions in Japan and Partnership oath in Japan

Article 24 of the Japanese Constitution states that "Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes and it shall be maintained through mutual cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as a basis." Articles 731 to 737 of the Japanese Civil Code limit marriage to heterosexual couples. Same-sex couples are not able to marry, and same-sex couples are not granted rights derived from marriage. Also, same-sex marriages performed abroad are not legally recognized in Japan and bi-national same-sex couples cannot obtain a visa for the foreign partner based on their relationship, though the Ministry of Justice does have a general rule of giving the discretionary "designated activities" visa to same-sex married spouses.[36] Japan and Italy are the only countries in the G7 where same-sex marriages are not performed.[37]

In March 2009, Japan began allowing Japanese nationals to marry same-sex partners in countries where same-sex marriage is legal. The Justice Ministry instructed local authorities to issue key certificates, which state that a person is single and of legal age, to individuals seeking to enter same-sex marriages in areas that legally allow it.[38]

In February 2015, the ward of Shibuya (in Tokyo) announced plans to establish a partnership system that would recognize same-sex couples for situations such as hospital visits and shared renting of apartments. This procedure allows couples to get a "proof of partnership" paper, which does not have any weight under Japanese law but can help in, for instance, getting access to a partner who is ill and in hospital but institutions are under no legal obligation to respect the certificates.[39] The Shibuya system is considered a significant step towards lesbian and gay partnership rights in Japan.[40] In July 2015, Tokyo's Setagaya ward announced that it would be joining Shibuya in recognizing same-sex partnerships from November of the same year.[41] Since then, over 400 municipalities have begun issuing partnership certificates, including highly populated Yokohama, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Kyoto, Kawasaki, Saitama and Hiroshima,[42] as well as 30 prefectures, including Tokyo, Ibaraki, Osaka, Gunma,[43][44] Saga and Mie.

On 17 March 2021, a district court in Sapporo ruled that laws or regulations that deprive same-sex couples of the right to marry constitute unlawful discrimination and violate Article 14 of the Constitution of Japan. The court found that Article 24 does not prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages. The ruling did not legalize same-sex marriage in Japan, but is likely to step up pressure on the National Diet to act.[45]

Yasuhiko Watanabe, a law professor at Kyoto Sangyo University, stated that if Japan recognizes same-sex marriage, that would impact the whole of Asia, proving that it is allowed not only in Western societies.[46]

On 26 June 2022, a district court in Osaka brought down a conflicting ruling to the ruling from the previous year out of Sapporo. It ruled that a ban on same-sex marriage is not unconstitutional. The ruling did not change the legal status of same-sex marriage in Japan as it did not occur at a court with the power to set binding legal precedent. The plaintiffs have indicated plans to appeal the decision. Other similar court cases in other district courts in Tokyo, Nagoya and Fukuoka remain ongoing.[47] In addition, the Tokyo metropolitan government recently[when?] announced a plan, set to take effect in October, to accept registrations from same-sex couples seeking certificates of their partnerships. On 1 November, Tokyo finally implemented a legally recognised relationship registration scheme for same-sex couples.[48][49] In August 2023, Wakayama Prefecture proposed to locally introduce Japan's partnership system for same-sex couples.[50]

In July 2022, Japanese video game company Nintendo announced its support for same-sex marriage and that it would recognize employees in same-sex partnerships as identical to opposite-sex marriages, in defiance of Japanese law.[51] The company's policy has been described as a major action in Japan's increasing discussion on its same-sex marriage ban.[52]

Adoption and parenting

Main article: Partnership oath in Japan § Family registration

Same-sex couples are generally not allowed to legally adopt in Japan, though in some regions it is legally complicated. Lesbian couples and single women are unable to access IVF and artificial insemination.[53] In December 2022, a "very broad and comprehensive fertility bill" was introduced in Japan - that explicitly and legally only allows heterosexual married women access to IVF treatment.[54]

In April 2017, Osaka officially recognised a same-sex couple as foster parents, making it the first such case in Japan.[55]

53 municipalities and Tokyo Metropolis have also established a "partnership family system" (パートナーシップ・ファミリーシップ制度, pātonāshippu famirīshippu seido) as of April 2023. This system, which allows registered partners to optionally designate children in the household through the partnership oath system in a limited form of second-parent adoption, also recognises the children of same-sex couples, and allows partners to make medical decisions for their child, and to pick up their children at schools and kindergartens (whereas previously only the biological parent was allowed to pick up the child). The first to establish this system was Akashi, Hyōgo in January 2021 followed by Tokushima in February 2021 and Adachi, Tokyo in April 2021.[56][57][a]

Discrimination protections

As of 2021, sexual orientation and gender identity are not protected by national civil rights laws, which means that LGBTQ Japanese have few legal recourses when faced with discrimination in such areas as employment, education, housing, health care and banking.[58] According to a 2018 Dentsu Diversity Lab survey, more than 65% of questioned LGBTQ people said they had not come out to anyone at work or home.[59]

The Japanese Constitution promises equal rights and is interpreted to prohibit discrimination on all grounds. However, homosexual and transgender persons can experience physical, sexual and psychological violence at the hands of their opposite-sex or same-sex partners, but receive limited protection from the law. Same-sex partners are excluded from the Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims (Japanese: 配偶者からの暴力の防止及び被害者の保護等に関する法律)[b] and generally lack safe places where they can seek help and support.[60]

In 2013, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, became the first Japanese government area to pass a resolution officiating support for LGBTQ inclusion, including mandating LGBTQ sensitivity training for ward staff.[61][62][63][64] Naha followed suit in July 2015.[65]

In October 2018, the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly passed a law prohibiting all discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The law, which took effect in April 2019, also commits the Metropolitan Government to raise awareness of LGBTQ people and "conduct measures needed to make sure human rights values are rooted in all corners of the city". The law outlaws expressing hateful rhetoric in public.[66][67] Prior to this, the wards of Shibuya and Setagaya had already passed explicit protections for LGBTQ people.[68][69]

In December 2018, four political parties, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Democratic Party for the People, the Japanese Communist Party, and the Liberal Party, along with the support of several independents, introduced to the House of Representatives a bill entitled the Proposed Law on the Promotion of the Elimination of Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (Japanese: 性的指向又は性自認を理由とする差別の解消等の推進に関する法律案)[c] to prohibit discrimination, harassment and bullying at schools on the basis of sexual orientation.[70][71]

In March 2019, legislation banning discrimination against "sexual minorities" was passed in Ibaraki Prefecture.[72][73]

Human Rights Watch, J-ALL (Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation) and Athlete Ally urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to support legislation protecting LGBTQ people against discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual orientation. On 17 April 2020, 96 human rights and LGBTQ organizations sent a letter to the Prime Minister calling for the passage of a non-discrimination law.[74]

In April 2022, legislation prohibiting discrimination among others sexual orientation and gender identity came into operation in Akita Prefecture.[75]

Employment discrimination

While the Equal Employment Opportunity Law (Japanese: 男女雇用機会均等法)[d] has been revised several times over the years to address sex discrimination and harassment in the workplace, the government has refused to expand the law to address discrimination against gender or sexual identity.[76] The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has passed legislation banning discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.[68]

Companies in Japan consisting of ten or more employees are required to establish work regulations. In January 2018, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare revised the Model Rules of Employment (モデル就業規則)[e] which "stands as the example framework for work regulations", to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and "gender identification".[69] Article 15 reads:[77]

In addition to what are provided for from Article 12 to the preceding paragraph, employees are prohibited from any other forms of harassment at the workplace that are damaging to the work environment of other employees such as by way of speech or behaviour related to sexual orientation or gender identification.

Housing discrimination

In 1991, the group OCCUR (Japan Association for the Lesbian and Gay Movement)[78] filed a court case against the Tokyo government after being barred from using the "Metropolitan House for Youth" the previous year. OCCUR won the case in 1997. While the court ruling does not seem to have extended to other areas of government-sponsored discrimination, it is cited by the courts as a civil rights case.[68]

Since autumn 2003, the Urban Renaissance Agency, the government agency that operates government housing has allowed same-sex couples to rent units the same way as heterosexual couples at any one of the over 300 properties that it operates. This opened the way for more such action, as the Osaka Government in September 2005 opened the doors of its government housing to same-sex couples.[79]

In February 2018, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare created provisions addressing discrimination in housing, stating that "consideration must be taken to not deny lodging on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."[69]

In October 2020, The Guardian reported that several Japanese love hotels were denying entry to same-sex couples for the sole reason of their sexual orientation, despite it being illegal under federal law since 2018 as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.[6]

Bullying in schools

In 2017, the Education Ministry added sexual orientation and gender identity to its national bullying policy.[68][80] The policy mandates that schools should prevent bullying of students based on their sexual orientation or gender identity by "promoting proper understanding of teachers on … sexual orientation/gender identity as well as making sure to inform on the school's necessary measures regarding this matter."

Others

In January 2018, after a high-profile incident in 2015 in which a gay student at Hitotsubashi University died by suicide after being outed against his will, the city of Kunitachi passed an "anti-outing" ordinance to promote understanding of LGBTQ people.[69] Mie Prefecture passed a similar "anti-outing" law in March 2021.[81][82]

LGBT Understanding and Enhancement Act

Main article: LGBT Understanding Promotion Act

In June 2019, after three years of consultations, a special committee of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) announced the LGBT Understanding and Enhancement Bill, which aims to improve understanding of LGBTQ issues, would be introduced to the National Diet. However, LGBTQ rights activists criticized the bill for falling short by not mentioning same-sex marriage or anti-discrimination protections.[83][84]

In April 2021, the LDP announced it would pass the LGBT Understanding and Enhancement Bill during the 204th National Diet session, set to end in June for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo. The bill only requires the government to "promote understanding of LGBT people" and does not actually ban discrimination.[85] However, the bill was not enacted in 2021.

On 16 June 2023, the "watered down" private member's bill on enhancement of LGBT understanding formally passed both houses of the National Diet of Japan for the 49th G7 summit in Hiroshima, with majority support from the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, Nippon Ishin no Kai and Democratic Party for the People.[86][87][88]

The Act on Enhancement of Public Understanding of Diversity in Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (Japanese: 性的指向及びジェンダーアイデンティティの多様性に関する国民の理解の増進に関する法律),[f] LGBT Understanding and Enhancement Act (Japanese: LGBT理解増進法)[g] (in short title) came into effect on 23 June 2023.

Transgender rights

Passage of the law on gender recognition

In 2003, a law was passed allowing transgender people to change their gender marker on legal documents. Approval required being over 18 years old, unmarried, undergoing sex reassignment surgery, sterilization (until 2023), and having no children under 18 (the majority age, which changed from 20 to 18 on 1 April 2022). The law, known as the Act on Special Cases in Handling Gender Status for Persons with Gender Identity Disorder (Japanese: 性同一性障害者の性別の取扱いの特例に関する法律)[h] or simply Law 111, went into effect in July 2004,[89] and was upheld by the Supreme Court of Japan in January 2019.[90] By that date, 7,000 persons had legally changed gender. The court wanted to prevent "confusion" within parent-child relations, as well as "abrupt changes" in Japanese society. Two of the majority judges still issued a call for society to "embrace the diversity of sexual identity", also adding that the requirements were invasive and encouraged the National Diet to review them.[91]

The legislation has been the subject of criticism on the grounds that its pathologising terminology and restrictive conditions violate the human rights of transgender individuals[92]

Socio-cultural background

Yale University professor Karen Nakamura notes in a discussion held October 2015 that "Japanese transgender activists present their gender identity as a disability in order to achieve more social and legal change in Japanese society", employing the medical diagnostic term of "gender identity disability" (性同一性障害, seidoitsusei shougai), instead of "gender identity disorder", which is more common in English-medium materials. This in part arises from what Nakamura calls a "translation fluke"; shougai can be fluidly interpreted as inter alia either "disability" or "disorder". According to Nakamura, this is because there is a strong protection in Japanese society and laws for disabled persons; therefore, identifying more as members of the disability community rather than the queer community has allowed transgender Japanese to assert their rights in law and society more strongly without social ostracization, more so than cisgender LGB Japanese.[93][94]

Conflict of private international law

Even though surgery is required as a condition to change one's registered gender in the Japanese courts, this only applies to Japanese nationals. Foreign nationals change their registered gender with the country of their nationality, then reporting the change to the Immigration Services Agency to be reflected on their residence card. This conflict of laws can lead to bureaucratic breakdown.

In 2018, U.S. national and Aoyama Gakuin University lecturer Elin McCready changed her legal gender to female in the United States. After the change, municipal offices in the Meguro and Ota wards of Tokyo refused to recognize it, citing her subsisting marriage to Midori Morita-McCready, a Japanese national - which the legal gender recognition would make a same-sex marriage. This led them to pursue a lawsuit against the local and central governments. Their attorney, Toshimasa Yamashita, said that following the precedent set in the 2018 Sapporo court case on same-sex marriage, this refusal was unconstitutional.[95][96]

Other developments

On 24 February 2012, the Hyogo Lawyers' Association recommended that a transgender woman in a male prison be transferred to a female institution.[97] According to this report, she had been placed in a male institution because of her legal sex, despite having undergone sex reassignment surgery prior to her detention, and was not treated as a woman in any way. She was subject to body checks by male staff, had her hair shaved, and was denied feminine clothing.

Since April 2018, transgender people have been covered for sex reassignment surgery as long as they are not receiving hormone treatment.[98] The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has also allowed transgender people to use their preferred names on their health insurance cards.

In June 2018, the Japanese Government enacted a new law lowering the age of majority in Japan from 20 to 18, which took effect on 1 April 2022. Among others, the new law sets the age of marriage at 18 for both men and women (previously women could marry at the age of 16) and allows 18-year-olds to obtain valid passports, credit cards, etc. The law also allowed people diagnosed with gender dysphoria and who have undergone irreversible sterilization to legally change their sex at the age of 18.[99]

In October 2020, Human Rights Watch wrote a letter urging Japan officials to allow transgender women to enroll in public women's universities in the country.[100] Ochanomizu University in Tokyo became the first public women's university in Japan to admit transgender women who had not changed their legal gender to 'female'.[101]

In January 2022, a transgender individual was arrested for "using the wrong bathroom" in Osaka. The Osaka Prefectural Police has declined to pursue charges, instead leaving that decision up to state prosecutors. Mikiya Nakatsuka, professor of health sciences at Okayama University and president of the Japanese Society of Gender Identity Disorder, stated that most transgender persons in Japan "paid attention when they used toilets at public facilities so they [could] stay out of trouble", and expressed concern that this single case would be applied erroneously to the wider transgender community, creating unwarranted prejudice and discrimination.[102][103]

2023 Supreme Court ruling

In October 2023, the Japanese Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the 2003 law requiring sterilization before a change of sex or gender on an individual's family register can be legally made was unconstitutional.[104] The Supreme Court has asked a lower court to review the requirement to have “genitalia that closely resemble the physical form of an alternative gender”.[105]

Healthcare

Gender reassignment surgery has been covered by insurance since 2018. However, hormone therapy is still not covered by insurance.[106]

Children aged 15 and over can receive hormone therapy in Japan with parental consent.[107]

The Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology (JSPN) published its updated guidelines in August 2024 on the treatment of gender dysphoria. The guidelines continued to recommend puberty suppression in trans patients, noting that it "is medically self-evident that bodily features of the undesired sex will become permanent if AMAB individuals who would require puberty suppression do not receive it". However, they also asked doctors administering such treatment to report more detailed information on it going forward.[108][109]

Blood donation

Gay and bisexual men are allowed to donate blood in Japan following a six-month abstinence from sex[110] while women and heterosexual men only need to wait six-months after being with a new partner of the opposite sex.[111]

Military service

Main article: Sexual orientation and gender identity in military service

The Japan Self-Defense Forces, when being asked about their policy toward people who are gay or lesbian following the U.S. debate during the presidency of Bill Clinton, answered that it was not an issue, and individuals within the forces indicated that as long as same-sex relations did not lead to fights or other trouble, there were few, if any, barriers to their inclusion in the armed services.[112]

Celebrities

While representations of homosexuals in the Japanese media tend towards caricature on the basis of stereotypes of sexual or behavioral deviance (e.g. the actually straight Hard Gay), there are several examples of transgender and non-binary celebrities in Japan such as Haruna Ai, Kayo Satoh, Ataru Nakamura, Kaba-chan, Hikaru Utada and Ikko. Several prominent musicians including Yoshinori Kanemoto and Ayumi Hamasaki have large LGBTQ fanbases as a result of their support for the LGBTQ community; among other activities, Hikaru Utada featured a gay teddybear called Kuma who she introduced as far back as 2010,[113] and Ayumi Hamasaki headlined at Tokyo's 2018 Pride festival (incidentally, Hamasaki starred in the LGBT-themed movie Nagisa no Shindobaddo in the 1990s).[114] In 2023, Shinjiro Atae came out as openly gay.[115]

Various celebrities have dedicated airtime on radios and podcasts to LGBTQ topics and supporting LGBTQ issues. Sho Sakurai of Arashi held an interview with drag queens in 2015 in Shinjuku Ni-chōme and was given the nickname "Cherry Shoko in the Sky".[116] Matsuko Deluxe is a famous and well-respected drag queen TV personality along the lines of Lily Savage (UK) and Dame Edna (Australia). The education specialist Naoki Ogi (more colloquially known by teachers across Japan by his nickname "Ogimama") has in past years given focus to LGBTQ issues in schools.[117] Support for LGBTQ rights has been expressed by corporate executives and Olympic athlete Dai Tamesue.[118] One of famous Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda's earliest movies, a documentary called "August without Him", released in 1994, follows Hirata Yutaka, the first openly gay AIDS sufferer in Japan. Filmed over a series of months, it contrasts his public life as an outspoken figure on the lecture circuit with his personal descent into illness and death.

Political support

Tokyo Rainbow Pride in 2016
Sapporo Rainbow Pride in September 2019

Japan's society and government are predominantly conservative.[7] Most political parties in Japan have formal positions in favor or against LGBTQ rights in their party's platform or manifesto. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has indicated opposition to legalizing same-sex marriage, whereas the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), the Japan Innovation Party,[119] and the Social Democratic Party have indicated support for legalization.[120] In a 2023 survey, Pew Research Center estimated that nearly 70% of Japanese people support same-sex marriage, the highest percentage of acceptance out of the Asian countries surveyed.[24]

In 2001, the Council for Human Rights Promotion, under the Ministry of Justice, recommended that sexual orientation be included in the nation's civil rights code, but the National Diet refused to adopt the recommendation.

In 2003, Aya Kamikawa became the first openly transgender politician to be elected to public office in Japan, winning a seat on the Setagaya Ward Assembly. She initially ran as an independent but expressed support for the now-defunct Rainbow and Greens party and later unsuccessfully ran for the National Parliament as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan.[121]

In 2005, Kanako Otsuji, from the Osaka Prefectural Assembly (2003–2007), became the first openly gay politician in Japan, when she formally came out at the Tokyo Gay Pride Festival. She later briefly served on the House of Councillors in 2013. Following the 2017 general election, Otsuji became the first openly lesbian member of the House of Representatives.[122]

In 2010, Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara faced international criticism for controversial comments he made, in which he said that gays and lesbians were "deficient somehow. It may be attributed to something genetic. I feel sorry for them being a minority."[123]

In 2011, Taiga Ishikawa became the first openly gay man elected to office in Japan, winning a seat in the local assembly of Toshima Ward.[124] He came out publicly in his book Where Is My Boyfriend (2002), and started a non-profit organization that sponsors social events for gay men in Japan. At the 2019 House of Councillors election, Ishikawa won a seat in the House of Councillors as a member of the CDP, the first openly gay man to do so.[125][126] After his election, he vowed to legalize same-sex marriage and enact anti-discrimination laws within the six years of his term.[127][128][129]

At the 2016 House of Councillors election, the conservative governing LDP included in its manifesto, that "same-sex marriage is incompatible with the Constitution".[130] However, it also included "promoting understanding of sexual diversity" in its platform, a move that would have been "unthinkable" in earlier times and that lawmaker Gaku Hashimoto attributed in part to burnishing the country's international image in advance of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[131] In 2019, former Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said she was unsure whether she would be able to introduce new legislation seeking greater tolerance of same-sex relationships amid opposition from her LDP colleagues. While Inada announced she wishes to "promote understanding" of LGBTQ people, she stated she is not trying to get Japan to legalize same-sex marriage or ban discrimination against LGBTQ citizens. Some LDP members have made controversial statements, such as Katsuei Hirasawa who argued in a speech in February 2019 that the "nation would collapse" if everyone were gay. Another ruling party lawmaker, Mio Sugita, published a magazine article in 2018 describing same-sex couples as "unproductive" because they do not have children.[132]

In March 2017, Tomoya Hosoda was elected to the Iruma Assembly, in the prefecture of Saitama. Hosoda is believed to be the first openly transgender man elected to public office in the world.[133]

During the country's 2017 general election, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike's newly launched Party of Hope pledged the elimination of LGBTQ discrimination in its manifesto.[134]

In January 2019, trans woman Maria Akasaka became a member of the Kameoka City Assembly, in Kyoto Prefecture.[135] In April 2019, another trans woman, Ayako Fuchigami, won a seat on the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly representing Sapporo's Higashi-ku ward. She became the first openly transgender person to hold a prefectural assembly position in Japan.[136]

In June 2019, the CDP added introducing legislation aimed at ending discrimination against the LGBTQ community and legalising same-sex marriage to their party platforms ahead of the 2019 Japanese House of Councillors election.[137]

In May 2021, Japan's conservative governing LDP has been accused of violating the Olympic charter after it failed to approve a bill to protect the rights of the LGBTQ community, during discussions marred by homophobic outbursts from conservative MPs. Closed meetings held in May to discuss a bill, proposed by opposition parties, ended without agreement after some LDP MPs said the rights of sexual minorities had "gone too far". An unnamed lawmaker described LGBTQ people as "morally unacceptable", while another MP, Kazuo Yana, said sexual minorities were "resisting the preservation of the species that occurs naturally in biological terms", media reports said. The failure to back a proposed law to protect LGBTQ rights was condemned by human rights groups, which said the party deserved a "gold medal for homophobia".[138]

In July 2022, LGBTQ rights activists and supporters protested in front of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters after an intra-party panel meeting circulated a booklet claiming that "homosexuality is a mental disease or addiction." The text was packed with false information, including "It's not the case that high suicide rates among LGBTQ people can be attributed to discrimination within society," and, "We should not legitimatize the sexual lifestyles of sexual minorities as it will become a social problem which will destroy families and society."[139]

In 2023, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of the Liberal Democratic Party met with LGBTQ groups in the Prime Minister's Official Residence and apologized for comments made by his former aide, Masayoshi Arai, based on homophobia and anti-same-sex marriage.[140]

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal Never criminalized (Since 1882)
Equal age of consent (16) Yes (Since 1882)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment No/Yes (In Tokyo, Ibaraki and Akita)
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services No/Yes (In Tokyo and Ibaraki)
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) No
Same-sex marriage No (Ban declared unconstitutional in some lower courts)[i]
Recognition of same-sex couples No/Yes (Some jurisdictions offer "partnership certificates" with limited recognition; symbolic certificates pending in several jurisdictions)
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples No (Some jurisdictions offer "partnership certificates" including identifying biological children of one partner, with limited recognition in certain venues; symbolic certificates pending in several jurisdictions)
Joint adoption by same-sex couples No
Lesbian, gay and bisexual people allowed to serve in the military Yes
Transgender people allowed to serve openly in the military
Right to change legal gender Yes/No (Since 2004; under certain restrictions: must undergo surgery, be unmarried, and have no children under 18)
Gender self-identification
Legal recognition of non-binary gender
Conversion therapy on minors banned No
Access to IVF for lesbian couples No[54][141]
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples No (Banned regardless of sexual orientation)
MSM allowed to donate blood Yes/No (6-month deferral period)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The 50 other municipalities are Koga (July 2021), Toyota (July 2021), Iruma (September 2021), Miyoshi (September 2021), Kawajima (October 2021), Kōnosu (December 2021), Sōja (December 2021), Hannō (January 2022), Hidaka (January 2022), Tokorozawa (January 2022), Mitoyo (January 2022), Ichikawa (February 2022), Anan (April 2022), Bungo-Ōno (April 2022), Kan'onji (April 2022), Kanuma (April 2022), Kasaoka (April 2022), Kasuya (April 2022), Kosai (April 2022), Miyashiro (April 2022), Okazaki (April 2022), Yoshimi (April 2022), Tosashimizu (June 2022), Tondabayashi (July 2022), Osaka (August 2022), Ichinomiya (September 2022), Toyoyama (September 2022), Naha (October 2022), Toda (October 2022), Ikeda (October 2022), Setagaya (November 2022), Nagoya (December 2022), Ichinoseki (December 2022), Wako (January 2023), Komaki (February 2023), Nagaoka (February 2023), Ranzan (March 2023), Kashiwa (March 2023), Takasago (April 2023), Namegawa (April 2023), Asaka (April 2023), Kasukabe (April 2023), Niiza (April 2023), Shiki (April 2023), Nachikatsuura (April 2023), Maibara (April 2023), Kaizu (April 2023), Matsudo (April 2023), Chiba (April 2023), Sapporo (April 2023) and Morioka (May 2023).[56]
  2. ^ Rōmaji: haigūsha kara no bōryoku no bōshi oyobi higaisha no hogo tō ni kansuru hōritsu
  3. ^ Rōmaji: seiteki shikō mata wa sei jinin o riyū to suru sabetsu no kaishō tō no suishin ni kansuru houritsu an
  4. ^ Rōmaji: danjo koyō kikai kintō hō
  5. ^ Rōmaji: moderu shūgyō kisoku
  6. ^ Rōmaji: seiteki shikō oyobi gender identity no tayōsei ni kansuru kokumin no rikai no zōshin ni kansuru hōritsu
  7. ^ Rōmaji: LGBT rikai zōshin hō
  8. ^ Rōmaji: seidōitsusei shōgaisha no seibetsu no toriatsukai no tokurei ni kansuru hōritsu
  9. ^ Article 24 of the Japanese Constitution describes marriage in heteronormative phrasing.

References

  1. ^ "ILGA State sponsored homophobia 2008.doc" (PDF). Ilga.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  2. ^ Lee, Michelle; Inuma, Julia. "Japan is hostile for LGBTQ people, but attitudes are shifting. Slowly". The Washington Post. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  3. ^ McCurry, Justin (8 June 2023). "Japan court falls short of calling same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional". The Guardian.
  4. ^ Joplin, Kat. "Politics and pageantry for Japan's LGBTQ community in 2023". The Japan Times. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  5. ^ "H-Net Reviews". H-net.org. May 2000. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  6. ^ a b Justin McCurry (30 October 2020). "Japan's 'love hotels' accused of anti-gay discrimination". The Guardian.
  7. ^ a b Khalil, Shaimaa. "Marriage equality eludes Japan's same-sex couples". BBC. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  8. ^ 日本放送協会. "同性婚認めないのは違憲の初判断 国への賠償は退ける 札幌地裁". NHK政治マガジン (in Japanese). Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  9. ^ 日本放送協会. "同性婚認めないのは憲法違反 違憲判断は全国2件目 名古屋地裁". NHK NEWS WEB (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  10. ^ 日本放送協会. ""同性婚 認められないのは憲法に違反せず" 大阪地裁 | NHK". NHKニュース. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  11. ^ 日本放送協会. "同性婚 法制度ないのは違憲状態も憲法には違反せず 東京地裁 | NHK". NHKニュース. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  12. ^ "Japan court rules same-sex marriage ban constitutional, but advocates hold out hope". The Japan Times. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  13. ^ Lies, Elaine (8 June 2023). "Japan ruling on same-sex marriage disappoints but 'a step forward'". Reuters. Retrieved 15 November 2023. A Japanese court on Thursday said a ban on same-sex marriage was constitutional
  14. ^ ""Legislation of same-sex marriage is essential" to promote understanding of LGBTQ people: Second lawsuit argument at Tokyo District Court". 東京新聞 TOKYO Web. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  15. ^ Sam Shoushi (25 March 2008). "Japan and Sexual Minorities | ヒューライツ大阪". Hurights.or.jp. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  16. ^ "The Global Divide on Homosexuality Persists". Pew Research Center. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  17. ^ Lies, Elaine; Pomfret, James. "More LGBTQ rights could help Asia financial hubs draw global talent". Reuters. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  18. ^ Condon, Ali. "Japan: Family court rules it's unconstitutional to require surgery for gender change". PinkNews. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Japan's top court strikes down required sterilization surgery to officially change gender". Associated Press News.
  20. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ^ "12 pictures of Tokyo Pride which will make your day". 8 May 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  22. ^ Chisaki Watanabe (29 November 2015). "Majority of Japanese Support Same-Sex Marriage, Poll Shows - Bloomberg Business". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  23. ^ "Survey: 78% of Japanese in 20s to 50s favor legal gay marriages". The Asahi Shimbun. 28 January 2019. Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  24. ^ a b Gubbala, Sneha; Poushter, Jacob; Huang, Christine (27 November 2023). "How people around the world view same-sex marriage". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  25. ^ "38% of LGBT people in Japan sexually harassed or assaulted: survey". Kyodo News. 27 December 2020.
  26. ^ Roy, Deblina (June 2019). "Homosexuality and Mythology". Indian Journal of Health, Sexuality & Culture. 5 (1): 60. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  27. ^ Childs, Margaret (1980). "Chigo Monogatari: Love Stories or Buddhist Sermons?". Monumenta Nipponica. Sophia University. 35: 127–51. doi:10.2307/2384336.
  28. ^ Pflugfelder, Gregory M. (1997). Cartographies of desire: male–male sexuality in Japanese discourse, 1600–1950. University of California Press. p. 26, 39–42, 75, 70-71, 252,
  29. ^ a b Furukawa, Makoto. The Changing Nature of Sexuality: The Three Codes Framing Homosexuality in Modern Japan. pp. 99, 100, 108, 112.
  30. ^ Leupp, Gary (1997). Male Colors: The Construction of Homosexuality in Tokugawa Japan. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-91919-8., p. 26, 32, 53, 69-78, 88, 90- 92, 95-97, 102, 132-135.
  31. ^ Kinkade, Tyler; Endo, Shunpei (2021). "LGBT who? Crosslinguistic influence in sociosexual and gender literacy" (PDF). Gender Awareness in Language Education Journal. 13: 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  32. ^ "Intersections: Male Homosexuality and Popular Culture in Modern Japan". intersections.anu.edu.au. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  33. ^ Fian, Andi (2 December 2022). "BUDDHISM AND CONFUCIANISM ON HOMOSEXUALITY: THE ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION BASED ON THE ARGUMENTS OF RELIGIOUS TEXTS". Journal of Religious Studies. 3 (2). Sekolah Pascasarjana, Universitas Gadjah Mada: Center for Religious and Cross-cultural Studies (CRCS): 73–82 – via Phil.
  34. ^ "H-Net Reviews". H-net.org. Archived from the original on 27 June 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  35. ^ "Japan raises age of consent from 13 to 16 in reform of sex crimes law". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  36. ^ "The Violations of the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Persons in Japan" (PDF). Global Rights. October 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  37. ^ McCurry, Justin. "'It's like we don't exist': Japan faces pressure to allow same-sex marriage". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  38. ^ "Japan to allow its citizens same-sex marriage - with foreign partners". www.fridae.asia. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  39. ^ McCurry, Justin (5 November 2015). "Same-sex couple receives Japan's first 'partnership' certificate". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  40. ^ Fackler, Martin (12 February 2015). "District in Tokyo Plans to Extend Rights of Gay Couples". The New York Times.
  41. ^ "Tokyo's Setagaya Ward to begin legally recognizing same-sex partnerships". En.riocketnews24.com. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  42. ^ "LGBTパートナー認定、群馬・大泉町が来月導入". 日本経済新聞 電子版. 26 December 2018.
  43. ^ Steger, Isabella (24 June 2019). "For the first time, same-sex couples will be recognized by a Japanese prefecture". Quartz.
  44. ^ "「大阪府パートナーシップ宣誓証明制度」を開始します". 大阪府 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 19 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  45. ^ "Japan court finds same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional". BBC News. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  46. ^ "LGBT+ rights in Asia: Small steps forward and big steps back". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  47. ^ "Japanese court upholds ban on same-sex marriage". BBC News. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  48. ^ Bollinger, Alex (4 November 2022). "Same-sex couples in Tokyo can now get domestic partnerships". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  49. ^ "Japan court says ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional". NPR. Associated Press. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  50. ^ "Wakayama Prefecture partnership system to be introduced within this fiscal year". NHK. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  51. ^ "Nintendo Japan Recognizes Same-Sex Marriages, in Defiance of Country's Laws". Variety. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  52. ^ "Why Nintendo's support for same-sex marriage is a major level up". The Japan Times. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  53. ^ "Making LGBT Families a Possibility in Japan". 7 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  54. ^ a b "Proposed Japanese Fertility Law Discriminates Against Lesbians, Single Women". 6 December 2022.
  55. ^ "Osaka the first city in Japan to certify gay couple as foster parents". 6 April 2017. Archived from the original on 3 August 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2018 – via Japan Times Online.
  56. ^ a b "リスト：同性パートナーシップ証明制度を導入している／導入予定の自治体". outjapan.co.jp (in Japanese).
  57. ^ "パートナーシップ制度一覧 | みんなのパートナーシップ制度". みんなのパートナーシップ制度 | 日本全国の最新の普及率・制度内容が分かる (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  58. ^ "Gay scene: Tolerance, legal limbo". Jun Hongo. Japan Times. Tuesday, 23 Dec. 2000
  59. ^ Fabre, Olivier (19 June 2019). "Liberal Democratic Party and tradition may stymie push for same-sex marriage in Japan". The Japan Times.
  60. ^ "Japan: Governor Should Retract Homophobic Comments | Human Rights Watch". Hrw.org. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  61. ^ Preston Phro (6 September 2013). "Osaka ward first governmental body in Japan to officially declare support for LGBT community". RocketNews24. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  62. ^ Nikkei (2 September 2013). "大阪市淀川区がLGBT支援宣言 (Yodogawa-ku passes LGBT support declaration)". GladXX.
  63. ^ Andrew Potts (11 September 2013). "Osaka district becomes first Japanese government area to support LGBT inclusion". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  64. ^ "Yodogawa ward office LGBT support declaration". Yodogawa-ku Municipal website. 1 September 2013.
  65. ^ "Naha city makes LGBT City Support Declaration". Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  66. ^ Tokyo: New Law Bars LGBT Discrimination. Human Rights Watch, 5 October 2018
  67. ^ Tokyo adopts ordinance banning discrimination against LGBT community. The Japan Times, 5 October 2018
  68. ^ a b c d "Japan - Out Leadership". Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  69. ^ a b c d "2018 LGBT News in Japan Roundup". Nijiiro News. 3 January 2019. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  70. ^ "野党５党1会派がLGBT差別解消法案を衆院に提出". 立憲民主党. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  71. ^ "●性的指向又は性自認を理由とする差別の解消等の推進に関する法律案". www.shugiin.go.jp.
  72. ^ パートナーシップ導入へ条例改正案可決 茨城県議会. The Sankei News (in Japanese). 25 March 2019. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  73. ^ 茨城、ＬＧＢＴ差別禁止を明文化 男女参画条例を改正. Hokkaido Shimbun (in Japanese). 25 March 2019. [permanent dead link]
  74. ^ "Japan: Introduce LGBT Non-Discrimination Law". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  75. ^ "県の多様性条例施行 性的指向など差別禁止" (in Japanese). 朝日新聞. 2 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  76. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  77. ^ "Rules of Employment (sample)" (PDF).
  78. ^ "NPO法人アカー（OCCUR）". Occur.or.jp. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  79. ^ "Kampf um das soziale Ordnungsgefüge - Webcat Plus". Webcatplus.nii.ac.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  80. ^ "Japan: Anti-Bullying Policy to Protect LGBT Students". 24 March 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  81. ^ "A Japanese region has made it illegal to out someone as LGBT+". Gay Star News. 10 June 2020. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  82. ^ "Japan's Mie Prefecture Enacts Ordinance Banning Outing". Nippon.com. 23 March 2021. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  83. ^ Glauert, Rik (26 June 2019). "Japan's ruling party reveals draft 'LGBT understanding' bill". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  84. ^ ""LGBT bill" at the Liberal Democratic Party to be submitted to the next Diet session". TV Asahi. 25 June 2019.
  85. ^ "Panel of Japan's ruling LDP to seek early passage of law on LGBT understanding". The Japan Times. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  86. ^ "Japan passes watered-down LGBT understanding bill". CNN. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  87. ^ "Japan's parliament passes watered-down LGBTQ understanding bill". The Japan Times. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  88. ^ "Watered-down LGBTQ 'understanding' bill shows how far Japan's parliament is out of step with its society – and history". The Conversation. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  89. ^ "Japan: Human Rights Violation against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Persons" (PDF). ILGA. April 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  90. ^ Jackman, Josh (24 January 2019). "Japan's Supreme Court rules transgender people still have to get sterilised · PinkNews". www.pinknews.co.uk. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  91. ^ "Sterilization rule for changing gender upheld in Japan". CNN. 25 January 2019.
  92. ^ Kawasaka, Kazuyoshi; Würrer, Stefan, eds. (2024). Beyond Diversity: Queer Politics, Activism, and Representation in Contemporary Japan. Düsseldorf University Press. p. 5. doi:10.1515/9783110767995. ISBN 9783110767995.
  93. ^ "Yale Professor Nakamura discusses Japanese transgender identity and disability". The Georgetown Voice. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  94. ^ Nakamura, Karen (n.d.). "Trans/Disability: Disability, Queer Sexualities, and Transsexuality from a Comparative Ethnographic Perspective (トランス／ディサビリティー： 比較人類学視点から見る現代の障害者運動 、クイアーセクシュアリティ、と性同一性障害運動)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  95. ^ "After gender change, a bureaucratic brick wall in Japan". France 24. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  96. ^ Osumi, Magdalena (21 June 2021). "Couple sues Japanese government for not recognizing gender transition". The Japan Times. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  97. ^ "Hygo". Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  98. ^ "Japan's social security net for transgender people improving but obstacles loom for seniors". 14 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2019 – via Japan Times Online.
  99. ^ Coming of age: Why adults in Japan are getting younger, BBC News, 13 June 2018
  100. ^ "Human Rights Watch Letter to Japanese Authorities Re: Trans University Students". Human Rights Watch. 20 October 2020.
  101. ^ "Japan's Women's Universities start accepting transgender students". 7 July 2020.
  102. ^ Bollinger, Alex. "Police refer trans woman to prosecutors for using women's bathroom". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  103. ^ "Transgender woman referred to prosecutors for using women's washroom in Osaka". The Japan Times. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  104. ^ "Supreme Court hands down landmark decision on transgender rights". The Japan Times. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  105. ^ "Victory for Transgender Rights in Japan | Human Rights Watch". 25 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  106. ^ "性別不合に関する診断と治療のガイドライン｜公益社団法人 日本精神神経学会". www.jspn.or.jp. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  107. ^ "性別不合に関する診断と治療のガイドライン (第 5 版)" (PDF). The Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology. August 2024. pp. 16–18.
  108. ^ "性別不合に関する診断と治療のガイドライン (第 5 版)" (PDF). The Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology. August 2024. pp. 16–18.
  109. ^ "性別不合に関する診断と治療のガイドライン｜公益社団法人 日本精神神経学会". www.jspn.or.jp. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  110. ^ エイズ、肝炎などのウイルス保有者、またはそれと疑われる方 (in Japanese). Japanese Red Cross Society. Retrieved 14 June 2016. ... 輸血を必要とする患者さんへの感染を防ぐため、過去6カ月間に下記に該当する方は、献血をご遠慮いただいています。... 男性どうしの性的接触があった。 (Translation: To prevent infecting patients requiring blood transfusion, those who match any of the following within the last six months should refrain from donating blood. ... Sexual contact between two males.)
  111. ^ エイズ、肝炎などのウイルス保有者、またはそれと疑われる方 (in Japanese). Japanese Red Cross Society. Retrieved 14 June 2016. ... 輸血を必要とする患者さんへの感染を防ぐため、過去6カ月間に下記に該当する方は、献血をご遠慮いただいています。... 不特定の異性または新たな異性との性的接触があった。 (Translation: To prevent infecting patients requiring blood transfusion, those who match any of the following within the last six months should refrain from donating blood. ... Sexual contact with an unspecified member of the opposite sex or a new member of the opposite sex.)
  112. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  113. ^ "20 Japanese Celebrities Who Have Shown Support for the LGBTQ Community". Arama! Japan. 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  114. ^ Bradley Stern (7 May 2018). "Ayumi Hamasaki, Gay Icon, Performs at 2018 Tokyo Rainbow Pride". Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  115. ^ Daw, Stephen (26 July 2023). "J-Pop Star Shinjiro Atae Comes Out as Gay During Fan Event". Billboard. Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  116. ^ Anonymous (21 April 2015). "Sakurai Sho Reveals That He Wants to Get Married; Wotas Upset". Archived from the original on 21 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  117. ^ Sekawa, Kaori (2 May 2016). "尾木ママ「学校で必ずLGBTを教えています」 東京レインボープライド2016開幕". Huffpost Japan. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  118. ^ Snow, Nancy (30 September 2017). "Japan's race for the LGBT gold in Asia". Japan Today. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  119. ^ "日本維新の会の国会議員の皆さまと同性婚に関するオンラインでの意見交換勉強会を開催しました！". 結婚の自由をすべての人に - Marriage for All Japan - (in Japanese). 9 February 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  120. ^ Inada, Miho (20 September 2013). "Same-Sex Marriage in Japan: A Long Way Away? - Japan Real Time - WSJ". Blogs.wsj.com. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  121. ^ "Setagaya OKs transsexual's election bid". The Japan Times News. 21 April 2003.
  122. ^ "Japan's Only Openly Gay Lawmaker Says Same-Sex Marriage Will Take Years". Bloomberg. 8 December 2017.
  123. ^ Kambayashi, Takehiko (26 July 2017). "LGBT politicians in Japan seek to promote awareness, secure rights". DPA International.
  124. ^ "Taiga Ishikawa is Japan's first openly gay elected official". Tokyomango.com. 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  125. ^ "Gay politician wins Upper House seat with LGBT support". The Asahi Shimbun. 22 July 2019. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  126. ^ Daniel Reynolds (23 July 2019). "Japan's First Out Gay Lawmaker Vows Same-Sex Marriage 'Will Happen'". The Advocate.
  127. ^ Damshenas, Sam (25 July 2019). "Japan's first openly gay male member of parliament vows to legalise same-sex marriage". Gay Times.
  128. ^ Navlakha, Meera (24 July 2019). "Japan's First Openly Gay Parliament Member Promises to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage". Vice News.
  129. ^ Wakefield, Lily (24 July 2019). "Japan elects gay lawmaker who is 'sure' marriage equality will happen". Pink News.
  130. ^ Fabre, Olivier (19 June 2019). "Liberal Democratic Party and tradition may stymie push for same-sex marriage in Japan". Retrieved 25 June 2019 – via Japan Times Online.
  131. ^ "Japan's conservative ruling party cites 'gay rights' in manifesto in bid to burnish image overseas". South China Morning Post. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  132. ^ "Tomomi Inada's uphill battle to 'promote understanding' of LGBT issues in Japan". The Japan Times. 21 March 2019.
  133. ^ "Japan becomes first country in the world to elect transgender man to a public office". Independent.co.uk. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  134. ^ Reynolds, Isabel; Nobuhiro, Emi (6 October 2017). "Japan's Opposition Unveils 'Yurinomics' Platform to Challenge Abe". Bloomberg. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  135. ^ 坂田奈央 (11 February 2019). "ＬＧＢＴ 気軽に言える環境づくりを 京都・亀岡市議選トップ当選 赤坂マリアさん". Tokyo Shimbun. Archived from the original on 14 February 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  136. ^ "Japan's first transgender prefectural assembly member elected in Hokkaido". Mainichi Shimbun. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  137. ^ "Constitutional Democrats unveil campaign promises - NHK WORLD-JAPAN News". NHK WORLD. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  138. ^ "Japan's ruling party accused of violating Olympic charter over LGBT rights". The Guardian. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  139. ^ "LDP panel booklet calling homosexuality a 'mental disease' sparks backlash in Japan". Mainichi Daily News. 7 July 2022.
  140. ^ "Japan PM apologizes to LGBTQ activists over ex-aide's remark - The former aide told reporters this month that he wouldn't want to live next to LGBTQ people and claimed citizens would flee Japan if gays could marry". NBC News. 18 February 2023.
  141. ^ "Japan hospital denies LGBTQ woman support for IVF pregnancy". The Japan Times. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to LGBT in Japan.

Read other articles:

Suku Banten

Suku BantenUrang Bantenᮅᮛᮀ ᮘᮔ᮪ᮒᮨᮔ᮪Pakaian adat dalam pernikahan suku Banten.Jumlah populasi±5.000.000-9.000.000[1]Daerah dengan populasi signifikan Banten4.321.991[2] Lampung172.403 Jawa Barat60.948 Sumatera Utara46.640 DKI Jakarta28.551 Sumatera Selatan17.141BahasaSunda Banten, IndonesiaAgamaIslam (Sunni)Kelompok etnik terkaitSunda, Badui, Cirebon Suku Banten atau Suku Sunda Banten (aksara Sunda: ᮅᮛᮀ ᮘᮔ᮪ᮒᮨᮔ�...

 

Rumo Logística

Rumo Logística Operadora Multimodal S.A. Logo Rechtsform Sociedade Anônima ISIN BRRUMOACNOR3 Gründung 2008 Sitz Curitiba, Paraná, Brasilien Brasilien Leitung Julio Fontana Neto (CEO)[1] Mitarbeiterzahl 12.000 Branche Eisenbahngesellschaft Website www.rumolog.com Rumo Logística S.A. (Rumo Logística Operadora Multimodal S.A.) ist ein brasilianisches Eisenbahnunternehmen mit Sitz in Curitiba. Über ihre Tochtergesellschaften ist das Unternehmen im Schienenverkehr im Süden und...

 

NGC 43

NGC 43NGC 43 oleh 2MASS Kredit: Two Micron All-Sky SurveyData pengamatan (J2000 epos)Rasi bintangAndromedaAsensio rekta 00j 10m 24.95dDeklinasi +30° 38′ 14.2″Pergeseran merah-4785 ± 10 km/sJarak65,0 ± 4,6 Mpc (212 ± 15,1 juta tc)Magnitudo semu (V)13,6Ciri-ciriJenisSB0Ukuran semu (V)1,6′ × 1,5'Penamaan lainUGC 120 • PGC 875 • CGCG 499-79 • MCG +05-01-054 • 2MASX J00130073+3054551 • GC 21 • h 9 NGC 43 adalah galaksi lentikular yang ...

 

Wildlife management

Management and control of wildlife populations The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and the United Kingdom and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate. (January 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Wildlife management triad according to Decker et al. (2001) Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management.[1] Wil...

 

情報戦

この記事は検証可能な参考文献や出典が全く示されていないか、不十分です。出典を追加して記事の信頼性向上にご協力ください。（このテンプレートの使い方）出典検索?: 情報戦 – ニュース · 書籍 · スカラー · CiNii · J-STAGE · NDL · dlib.jp · ジャパンサーチ · TWL（2022年2月） 戦争 軍事史 時代 先史時代 古代 中世 火薬 産業 現...

 

Araucaria hunsteinii

Papua New Guinean pine tree Araucaria hunsteinii Conservation status Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Gymnospermae Division: Pinophyta Class: Pinopsida Order: Araucariales Family: Araucariaceae Genus: Araucaria Section: A. sect. Intermedia Species: A. hunsteinii Binomial name Araucaria hunsteiniiK.Schum. Araucaria hunsteinii (Klinki , Klinkii or Klinky, native names Rassu and Pai[citation needed]) is...

 

Wangsa Borgonha

Bendera Portugal Dinasti Borgonha Dinasti Borgonha (bahasa Portugis: Casa de Borgonha, dilafazkan IPA: buɾ.'ɣo.ɲɐ) atau Dinasti Afonsine (Dinastia Afonsina, IPA: ɐ.fõ.'si.nɐ) adalah dinasti pertama dari Raja-raja Portugal. Dinasti ini dimulai pada 1139 dan berakhir pada 1383. Afonso Henriques (Afonso I) menjadi raja Portugal setelah mengalahkan ibunya dalam Pertempuran São Mamede pada 1128. Baru pada 1179 Paus Aleksander III mengakui Portugal sebagai sebuah negara mandiri. Pengakuan i...

 

Markel Building

Office building near Richmond, Virginia Markel BuildingGeneral informationAddress5310 Markel RoadTown or cityRichmondCoordinates37°35′04″N 77°29′58″W / 37.584319°N 77.499460°W / 37.584319; -77.499460Opened1965Technical detailsFloor count3Design and constructionArchitect(s)Haigh Jamgochian The Markel Building is an office building commissioned by the Markel Corporation and designed by Haigh Jamgochian[1][2] located on Markel Road just outside...

 

Croft railway station, Leicester

Railway station in Leicestershire, England CroftCroft railway station in 1988General informationLocationNarborough, BlabyEnglandCoordinates52°33′26″N 1°14′44″W / 52.5572°N 1.2455°W / 52.5572; -1.2455Grid referenceSP512957Platforms2HistoryOriginal companySouth Leicestershire RailwayPre-groupingLondon and North Western RailwayPost-groupingLondon, Midland and Scottish RailwayKey dates1 December 1877Opened4 March 1968 (1968-03-04)Closed Croft rai...

 

Olivia Winters

Fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless This article consists almost entirely of a plot summary. Please help improve the article by adding more real-world context. (October 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Soap opera character Olivia WintersThe Young and the Restless characterPortrayed byTonya WilliamsDuration 1990–2005 2007–2012 First appearanceJune 15, 1990Last appearanceFebruary 15, 2012ClassificationPast;...

 

Songhua River

River in China and North Korea Songhua RiverSonghua River, just west of Harbin. Oxbow lakes are common sights along the sides of the river.Native nameᠰᡠᠩᡤᠠᡵᡳ ᡠᠯᠠ (Manchu)sunggari ula (Manchu)LocationCountryPeople's Republic of ChinaProvincesJilin, HeilongjiangPhysical characteristicsSourceChangbai Mountains • locationAntu County, Jilin • coordinates42°02′06″N 128°16′37″E / 42.035°N 128.277°E...

 

Cashmere High School

SchoolCashmere High SchoolTe iringa o KahukuraAddress172 Rose Street Somerfield Christchurch 8024 New ZealandCoordinates43°33′57″S 172°37′27″E / 43.5659°S 172.6243°E / -43.5659; 172.6243InformationFunding typeStateMottoLeading LearningEstablished1956 (1956)Ministry of Education Institution no.340ChairpersonJames O'ConnellPrincipalJoe EccletonYears9–13GenderCoeducationalSchool roll2220[1] (April 2023)Colour(s)Burgundy, dark grey & dar...

 

Профатілов Ілля Іванович

Профатілов Ілля Іванович Народився 1906Підліснівка, Степанівська волость (Сумський повіт), Сумський повіт, Харківська губернія, Російська імперіяПомер 1975Київ, Українська РСР, СРСРДіяльність державний діячAlma mater ХНУ імені В. Н. КаразінаЗаклад ХНУ імені В. Н. КаразінаПартія ...

 

Idrissa Sylla

Questa voce sull'argomento calciatori guineani è solo un abbozzo. Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di Wikipedia. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Idrissa Sylla Nazionalità  Guinea Altezza 188 cm Peso 75 kg Calcio Ruolo Attaccante Squadra svincolato Carriera Squadre di club1 2008-2010 Le Mans 238 (11)2010-2011→  Bastia 211 (3)2010-2011→  Bastia27 (8)2011-2013 Le Mans52 (14)2013-2015 Zulte Waregem38 (10)[1]2015-2...

 

List of American films of 1964

This film-related list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2008) American filmsby year 1890s 1890–1899 1900s 1900 1901 1902 1903 19041905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910s 1910 1911 1912 1913 19141915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920s 1920 1921 1922 1923 19241925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930s 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940s 1940 1941 1942 1943 19441945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950s 1950 1951 1952 1953 19541955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960s 1960 1961 1962 1963 19641965 1...

 

Jesslyn Fax

Canadian-American actress Jesslyn FaxJesslyn Fax in the episode titled Four O'Clock (1941)Born(1893-01-04)January 4, 1893Toronto, Ontario, CanadaDiedFebruary 16, 1975(1975-02-16) (aged 82)Hollywood, California, U.S.OccupationActress Jesslyn Fax (January 4, 1893 – February 16, 1975)[1] was a Canadian-American actress. She is known for playing 'Miss Hearing Aid' in Rear Window (1954),[2][3] Avis Grubb in The Music Man (1962), Miss Hemphill in The Man Who Died Twic...

 

Tourism in Sweden

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Tourism in Sweden – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2012) (Learn how and when to remove ...

 

Space Hijackers

British anarchist group (1999–2014) A reveler urges silence on one of the Space Hijacker's Circle line parties on the London Underground on 14 March 2003. The tactic for keeping the party unnoticed by the authorities was to keep quiet while the train was in the stations. The first Space Hijackers Circle Line Party took place on 10 March 1999. The Space Hijackers was a group based at Limehouse Town Hall in London, active between 1999 and 2014,[1] that defined itself as an internation...

 

16 december

nov december jan << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 >> 16 december is de 350e dag van het jaar (351e dag in een schrikkeljaar) in de gregoriaanse kalender. Hierna volgen nog 15 dagen tot het einde van het jaar. Gebeurtenissen  Algemeen 1631 - Grote uitbarsting van de vulkaan Vesuvius.[1] 1811 - Zwaarste geregistreerde aardbeving in de Verenigde Staten, bij New Madrid (Missouri). 1850 - Vier schepen arriveren in Lytt...

 

Піноккіо Ґільєрмо дель Торо

Піноккіо Ґільєрмо дель Тороангл. PinocchioЖанрфентезійний фільм, музичний фільм і екранізація роману[d]РежисерГільєрмо дель Торо і Mark GustafsondПродюсерAlexander Bulkleyd, Гільєрмо дель Торо, Lisa Hensond і Gary UngardСценаристГільєрмо дель Торо, Patrick McHaled, Метью Роббінсd...