Publication – Contemporary LGBTQ+ Politics in Japan: Policy Issues, Discourses and Developments, and the role of Foreign Actors

Japan has publicly committed to creating “a society where all people can exercise their abilities and find their lives worth living,” and to combating “prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity” (MOFA 2023). Yet, in practice, legal protections and rights for LGBTQ+ individuals in Japan remain limited. A 2020 OECD report ranked Japan among the lowest of its 35 member countries in terms of legal inclusion for LGBTI people—alongside Turkey and South Korea. At the time, Japan lacked anti-discrimination protections, legal recognition of same-sex relationships, and imposed sterilization requirements for individuals seeking to change their legal gender. Although Japan’s Supreme Court declared the sterilization requirement unconstitutional in 2023, other restrictive conditions remain in place.

This report by LAC researcher Emily Boon offers a comprehensive and current overview of LGBTQ+ politics in Japan. It examines key policy issues impacting LGBTQ+ communities, analyzes domestic policymaking processes, and explores the influence of foreign actors, such as embassies and international NGOs. Drawing from academic literature, media coverage, and six weeks of fieldwork—including interviews with stakeholders and visits to LGBTQ+ events across Japan—this report aims to contribute to informed dialogue and support efforts toward greater inclusion and equity.