Japan

Demographics

Estimated Total Population:

125.5 million

World Bank, 2018

Estimated SGM Population:

N/A

N/A

Estimated Total SGM Adult Population:

N/A

N/A

Estimated % of SGM Adults (18+):

N/A

N/A

There are no nationwide surveys looking atSexual and Gender minorities in Japan. However, in a survey conducted on general adults in Japan showed that the percentage of sexual minorities such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) is only about 5.9%. Bisexual orientation and transgender identity are usually hidden and are unlikely to be recognized unless openly confessed.Furthermore, another study looking at944second-, third-, and fourth-year students of Japan’s Ikarabaki University found that 1.4% of participants identified as transgender and 10.6%of participants identified as LGBTor unsure. These findings provide an insight into the potential nationwide sexual and gender minority population in Japan. This study also revealed that the term “transgender” was often confusing to participants. Thus, researchers asked, “Does your gender identity not match your natal sex?” as opposed to asking,“What is your gender?” with the options being male, female, transgender male, transgender female. This sheds light to the lack of visibility regarding sexual and gender minority in the Japanese language.

Japan's Laws and Policies from ILGA World Report (2019)

RECOGNITION
Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
No
Civil Unions
No
Joint Adoption
No
Second Parent Adoption
No

Legal gender change requirements include sex reassignment surgery and required sterilization surgery.

PROTECTION
Employment Nondiscrimination Laws
No
Broad Protections
No
Criminalization of Violence
No
Ban of Conversion Therapy
No

Currently, out of 47 prefectures in Japan, only the Tokyo Prefecture has a legal ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

CRIMINALIZATION
Consensual Same-Sex Acts are Legal?
Yes
Gender
Does Not Apply
Max Penalty (Yrs in Prison)
Does Not Apply

In recent years, same-sex couples have filed a series of lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of Japan's ban on same-sex marriage. In September 2019, a member of the National Diet called for a revision of the Constitution of Japan to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples, however this was not adopted.

Selected Published Studies, Reports, and Other Documents

Asazawa, K., Inamoto, A., Ashino, Y., Ishihara, Y., Oba, Y., Endo, M., Iwata, A., Kishioka, M., Tokunaga, A., Sumino, M., Kojima, N.& Shiunohara, E. (2019).Predictors of LGBT Recogniton by Health Science University Students in Japan. Open Journal of Nursing, 9 (5). https://doi.org/10.4236/ojn.2019.95041.

DiStefano, A.S. (2008). Suicidality and Self-Harm Among Sexual Minorities in Japan.QualitativeHealthResearch 18 (10) 1429-1441. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.duke.edu/10.1177/1049732308322605.

DiStefano, A.S. (2016). HIV’s Syndemic Links With Mental Health, Substance Use, and Violence in an Environment of Stigma and Disparities in Japan. Qualitative Health Research, 26 (7), 877-894. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.duke.edu/10.1177/1049732315627644.

Hidaka, Y. & Operario, D. (2006). Attempted suicide, psychological health and exposure to harassment among Japanese homosexual, bisexual or other men questioning their sexual orientation recruited via the internet. J Epidemiol Community Health, 60 (11), 962-967. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2005.045336.

Hidaka, Y., Operario, D., Tsuji, H., Takenaka, M., Kimura, H., Kamakura, M. & Ichikawa, S. (2014). Prevalence of SexualVictimization and Correlates of Forced Sex in Japanese Men Who Have Sex with Men. PLoS One, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0095675.

Ikuta, N., Koike, Y., Aoyagi, N., Matsuzaka, A., Ishihara, K., Hirohara, T., . . . Takizawa, T. (2018). Japanese university students’ views on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals based on previous encounters.International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health,30(1), e297-313. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2015-0121.

Tamagawa, M. (2018). Coming Out to Parents in Japan: A Sociocultural Analysis of Lived Experiences. SexualityandCulture, 22(2), 497+. Retrieved from https://link-gale-com.proxy.lib.duke.edu/apps/doc/A535531443/EAIM?u=duke_perkins&sid=EAIM&xid=cd62c0ca