Equality Rights for Japanese LGBTQ People
Same-sex marriage is still illegal
in Japan.
Japan is the only G-7 nation to prohibit same-sex marriage which is so far behind compared to western countries. In recent years, the mood started changing and many LGBTQ+ people have been fighting for their rights. The 2021 poll by the Asahi newspaper showed that 65 percent of voters nationwide favoured same-sex marriage, raising from 41 percent in 2015 (Asahi Newspaper, 2021).
Comparison of Polling Results in 2015 and 2021
Inequality in same-sex marriage
Guest Speakers
Marriage For All Japan
Marriage For All Japan is an organization aiming to realize a society in which everyone has the freedom to choose whether to marry or remain unmarried, regardless of their legal sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity ( Marriage For All, 2022). They are fighting for marriage equality through a wide variety of activities including lobbying, events, and seminars, media, publishing information about marriage equality including lawsuits and research.
B.G.U.
B.G.U. means ‘be free’ and ‘G.U.' part is based on the Japanese word for freedom '自由'.
B.G.U. is a Queer, Intersexual feminist, Bilingual zine+collective that fights for radical change. They provide an analog printed format for free to make it accessible to everyone. Everyone who is involved in the project is mostly a volunteer to see what can be done outside of the capital. Most of the contents focused on experiences, and viewers of opinions of queer people, women, and marginalized minorities in Japan. B.G.U. is for anyone who wants to take up space.
What is the partnership system in Japan?
The “partnership system” is a system whereby local governments issue certificates to LGBTQ+ couples to deem their relationship “equivalent to marriage” and facilitate access to various services and social considerations.
In 2015, the council of Shibuya and Setagaya ward, Tokyo, enacted the first ordinance to issue a partnership certificate for same-sex couples recognizing a relationship equivalent to marriage.
Subsequently, the introduction of the partnership system spread to other municipalities. In October 2021, the number of municipalities introducing the partnership system exceeded 130 and has been rapidly expanding (Minnnanopartnership, 2022).
What can you do with a partnership system?
Among the G7 countries, all but Japan, same-sex marriage or civil union system has been introduced as a national institution. What are the differences between same-sex marriage and partnership system in Japan?
Since same-sex marriages are legal marriages, the couple can use various systems as a family. On the other hand, the partnership system, unlike same-sex marriage, has no legal validity. Therefore, it is not legally recognized as “family”. For example, a surviving partner is unable to inherit a deceased partner’s property or have parental authority over the partner’s children. The partnership system is a movement by cities, prefectures, and other legal governments to recognize them as much as possible as family (Minnnanopartnership, 2021).
Comparison between Legal Marriage, (Heterosexual) Common-law Marriage, and Same-Sex Couples
Resourse by Mariage For All Japan
Blog
Conclusion: What can we do as individuals?
Both guest speakers insist that it is necessary to vote to change Japanese society. However, Japanese younger generations can be indifferent to political and international issues, not just LGBTQ+ issues. They tend not to vote, with a 55.93% turnout in the 2021 lower house election (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2021).
To change the trend of accepting ignorance as a good thing, it is crucial for us to gain correct knowledge and speak up about questions we have for ourselves.
The first step we can do as individuals is to raise awareness about social and political issues, including LGBTQ+ issues, and go to the polls to vote.
Speak Up
Hello
My name is Fuka
Currently, I am pursuing a master’s in media and communication at Swinburne University to develop my skills in writing, editing, and design. While Japan is known as a beautiful country, there are still so many issues including inequality in same-sex marriage. I am passionate about learning these issues to contribute to the realization of a society in Japan where inequalities are eliminated and where everyone is free to choose whether or not to marry, regardless of their gender.
References
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Asahi Newspaper 2021, ‘同性婚、法律で「認めるべき」65% 朝日新聞世論’, viewed 5 october 2022, <https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP3P7DSCP3MUZPS003.html>.
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Everyday Newspaper 2016, ‘オネエ呼ばわり「不快」 テレビ番組、差別助長の恐れ’, Listening , viewed 29 October 2022, < https://mainichi.jp/articles/20160516/org/00m/010/008000c>.
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Marriage For All People 2022, ‘MARRIAGE EQUALITY’, viewed 5 October 2022, <https://www.marriageforall.jp/en/marriage-equality/>.
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Minnnanopartnership 2022, ‘About partnership’, viewed 28 October 2022, <https://minnano-partnership.com/partnership/about>.
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Rickert, A 2017, ‘A Night Out in Nichome, Tokyo’s Gay District’, Gaijin Pot Blog, viewed 29 October 2022, < https://blog.gaijinpot.com/night-ni-chome-tokyos-gay-district/>.
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Tamagawa, M 2020, ‘Japanese LGBT Diasporas Gender, Immigration Policy and Diverse Experiences’, Palgrave Pivot, viewed 3 october 2022, <https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-030-31030-1.pdf>.
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Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications 2021, ‘国政選挙における投票率の推移’, viewed 29 October 2022, <https://www.soumu.go.jp/senkyo/senkyo_s/news/sonota/ritu/index.html>.