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. [7] Bullying in schools [ edit ] A Japanese court rules it's unconstitutional to require surgery for a change of gender on documents". Tokyo adopts ordinance banning discrimination against LGBT community. The Japan Times, 5 October 2018

Supreme Court hands down landmark decision on transgender rights". The Japan Times. 25 October 2023 . Retrieved 26 October 2023. 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. [111] 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. Osumi, Magdalena (21 June 2021). "Couple sues Japanese government for not recognizing gender transition". The Japan Times . Retrieved 11 January 2022.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. [94] 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'. [95] Japan's culture and major religions do not have a history of hostility towards homosexuality. [16] A 2019 poll indicated that 68 percent of the respondents agreed that homosexuality should be accepted by society, while 22 percent disagreed. [17] Although many political parties have not openly supported or opposed LGBT rights, there are several openly LGBT politicians in office. The conservative Liberal Democratic Party, one of Japan's leading political groups, remains opposed to same-sex marriage, [18] 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. [19] 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. [1] Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is banned in some cities, including Tokyo. [20] a b "Proposed Japanese Fertility Law Discriminates Against Lesbians, Single Women". 6 December 2022. The notes on this list reflect more on the quality of demonstrating and representing queer people and relationships than the other general cinematic aspects. If you are looking for a list for this purpose consider looking at my other list "Must-see Asian movies". 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. [102] Celebrities [ edit ]

Sexual orientation and gender identity protected in some cities and prefectures, though not nationally [3] Navlakha, Meera (24 July 2019). "Japan's First Openly Gay Parliament Member Promises to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage". Vice News. 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. [112] 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. [114] 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. [115] [116] After his election, he vowed to legalize same-sex marriage and enact anti-discrimination laws within the six years of his term. [117] [118] [119]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. [26] 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. [27] 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). LGBT bill" at the Liberal Democratic Party to be submitted to the next Diet session". TV Asahi. 25 June 2019.