Conservative gender roles hold Kyushu back from gender identity discussions

Kyushu Rainbow Parade will be held online on November 6 and 7 for the second time, considering the situation of COVID-19. When thinking about Kyushu and Gender and Sexuality issues, there is a shared image in Japan that Kyushu is a region that has a conservative gender role.

Kyushu Danji is a symbol of that cultural image. It refers to a man who is masculine in a positive way but sexist in a negative way, which is thought to be a desirable image of a man in Kyushu.

Economic journalist Uragami Sanae explains that Kyushu Danji can still exist in the 21st century since some women allow their behavior. For example, these women from twenties to forties prefer to become housewives, despite double-income families being the standard in city life.

In addition, this type of woman is not unique to Kyushu. In a research comparing women in Tokyo and Kyushu, both groups did not question why husbands are involved in the housework. It wasn’t because she hesitates to, but because she believes house chores are women’s responsibility. Hence, the sex division is a part of a cultural norm that some people internalize.

However, since specific images of gender roles tend to exclude various types of gender identity, it is likely that many cannot find a fit in the conservative gender image that Kyushu suffers from, including people in the LGBTQ community. Nevertheless, there is resistance against the culture, or people secure a safety net. For instance, there is a think tank composed of various specialists like welfare, law, economics, or sociology. These professionals answer company needs from both individuals and companies related to sexual issues and consult their problem as a professional. There are also NPOs supporting LGBTQ in every prefecture in Kyushu, like cclabo in Fukuoka and Kumaniji in Kumamoto.

Regardless of gender issues, it is difficult to change the culture. What is more, culture should not be judged. Instead, we should provide alternative norms that would support people who feel isolated in their native communities.