Three Japanese leaders working on LGBTQ issues

The social recognition for LGBTQ people is growing, and moves toward equal rights for LGBTQ people are progressing. In Japan, same-sex marriage is not recognized yet. However, some local governments have recently introduced partnerships, and companies have developed support systems for their LGBTQ workers. Here are some Japanese who have contributed to increasing social recognition of LGBTQ.

Fumino Sugiyama

Fumino Sugiyama, born in Tokyo in 1981, attended an all-girls school from kindergarten to high school and then entered Waseda University. While competing in Japan’s women’s fencing team in graduate school, Fumino focused his research on gender and sexuality and later published the book “Double Happiness,” which included his research and his own experiences as a transgender person.

He is currently raising two children with his partner and a friend who is a sperm donor. On the other hand, he was appointed as a representative of “Tokyo Rainbow Pride,” the largest LGBT awareness event in Japan in 2014.

He was also involved in introducing the first same-sex partnership system in Shibuya Ward and has made great strides in gender equality.

Kodo Nishimura

 

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Kodo Nishimura was born in Tokyo in 1989. He is an LGBTQ activist, Buddhist monk, makeup artist, and model.

He has done makeup for the Miss Universe World Convention, NY Fashion Week, and other events. He also became a Jodo Buddhist monk in 2015, encouraging those struggling with identity issues through seminars and Buddhist teachings.

In 2019, he made a significant impact on society by speaking at the United Nations Population Fund headquarters in New York City, preaching LGBTQ understanding based on the Buddhist view of equality. His work has garnered global attention and has been covered by major media outlets, including NHK, CNN, and BBC, as well as appearing on the Netflix show “Queer Eye.” In 2021, Kodo was named to TIME magazine’s “Next Generation Leaders.”

Soshi Matsuoka

Soshi Matsuoka was born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, in 1994. After graduating from the School of Political Science and Economics at Meiji University, Soshi established the general incorporated association “FAIR“, which disseminates information on LGBT issues, focusing on policy and legal systems.

Soshi also contributes to HuffPost, Gendai Business, Forbes, and Yahoo! News. In addition to his writing, in 2019, Soshi created the LGBT Reporting Guidelines for the media. In 2020, Soshi and Yuichi Kamiya, Executive Director of the LGBT Law Coalition, wrote “LGBT and Harassment,” a book about derogatory language and behavior related to sexual orientation and gender identity and the need to prevent third parties from exposing a person’s sexuality without their consent.

In 2021, Soshi was also working extensively to realize a society in which people can live fairly regardless of their sexuality, such as in the case of a bill announced by the government to “improve understanding” of sexual minorities, which calls for the prohibition of discrimination to be clearly stated.

Realizing a comfortable world for everyone

The above three people have contributed to raising the social awareness of LGBTQ and expanding their rights in Japan and worldwide. What all three have in common is that they are open to their sexuality and actively face LGBTQ challenges.

However, it is not easy for many to be open about one’s sexuality. Even though the recognition of LGBTQ has increased, there are many cases in which it is not possible to obtain an understanding of those close to them. In that sense, many of them have not acquired LGBTQ rights even if they are LGBTQ.

A correct understanding of gender issues is essential for realizing a comfortable world for everyone, not just LGBTQ people. In the first place, does the majority really exist? Some people have no sexual desire regardless of the presence or absence of a sexual object, and some people do not have romantic feelings in the first place. Thus, there are as many ways of being sexual as there are people, and it is very difficult to determine what constitutes a minority. Therefore, to solve the problem of LGBTQ, it is important for people other than those involved to understand that they may not be the absolute majority and to be aware of the problem.

Their activities help people recognize various sexualities and create a diverse and prosperous society.

If you would like to join them in their activities, here are the links: