On 9 June, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) announced [1] they had internally approved a basic plan for implementing the goals of the 2023 LGBT Understanding Promotion Act. The act mandated creation of the plan by the Japanese government within 3 years after its passage in the Diet (Japan’s Continue Reading
Japan
Meet Michael, Pole Sports World Champion 2025
From the 20th to the 25th of October 2025, the International Pole and Aerial Sports Federation (IPSF) held its World Pole & Aerial Championship in Argentina. Among the results of their many events, one stands out: the 40+ Men’s division, won by a Japanese competitor who just also happens to Continue Reading
Blue Boy Trial (2025)
Photos © 2025 “Blue Boy Trial” Film Partners In 1969, a verdict was delivered in a criminal trial that resulted in a moratorium on GRS in Japan for the next three decades [*]. The trial involved an intersection between medical ethics, prostitution, police power, and eugenics. It became known as Continue Reading
Tokyo High Court Rules Lack of Marriage Equality Constitutional, Despite Other Rulings
PHOTO: by Kakidai, under CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons On 28 November 2025, the Tokyo High Court ruled that Japan’s lack of marriage equality was constitutional, contrary to all of the five earlier High Court decisions, including one out of the same Tokyo High Court (albeit in a Continue Reading
New Japanese Court Win, Expanded (But Still Restricted) Rights for Same Sex Couples, and Takaichi’s Ascendancy
This article covers a lot of ground. Since our last article on Japan, there have been quite a few developments in the realm of trans and LGBTQ rights, as well as one big area for potential concern. We will start with the good news. Sapporo Family Court Finds Requirement for Continue Reading