Democrats Visiting Japan Urge Country to Advance LGBT Rights
TimeAPR 2023
Japan: Court Allows Gender Change Without Sterilization
Image copyright: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The laws in Japan are evolving more quickly than public acceptance of LGBTQ people is. Japan remains a deeply conservative country rooted in conformity, and many LGBTQ people remain closeted in fear of ostracization at school or work. It's important to maintain this view of Japan's unique cultural context before being too harsh on the government.
Narrative B
It's Japan's government, not the public, that needs to change. LGBTQ rights in the country are still far behind many other developed nations, and more needs to be done to give members of this community appropriate legal rights and protections. The government is still very traditional and conservative and is resistant to accepting gender and sexual diversity in its policies.