“Gender equality,” as stated in the SDGs, is to realize a society where each person is free to make choices regardless of gender. This trend has recently spilled over into the Japanese toy industry by introducing products that challenge gender...
Sexual violence, including assault and rape, does happen in Japan. Japanese law places a high burden on the victim to demonstrate as proof that the sexual relations were not consensual and committed through assault, intimidation or force...
Tokyo has announced the introduction of a same-sex partnership system within the fiscal year. This is a huge step forward to realizing gender diversity. However, it is not legally binding in Japan, meaning that it depends on the individual whether...
Most women experience menstruation in their lives. Although its symptoms vary among individuals, some people struggle with severe menstrual cramps and emotional instability, interfering with their daily routines. In Japan, “period leave” was enacted...
Zenbird Media has covered a myriad of topics in 2021. While changes in Japan are slow, the editors of Zenbird do see positive changes and have identified possible solutions (even though, we hoped for more speed). Despite the 2nd year of...
Japan has been working on gender equality in various ways. However, there remains much to be done to achieve it. “Academic harassment” is no exception. In recent years, it is becoming a big issue. Definition of “academic harassment” in...
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted and worsened existing inequalities. People with lower incomes and in less stable jobs are especially vulnerable. In Japan, many of these kinds of jobs are taken up by women. Japan’s emphasis on...
In Japan, the term LGBTQ+ is slowly becoming more widely known, but there is still a lack of understanding in various situations. When it comes to the medical field, some members of the LGBTQ+ community may hesitate to visit a hospital or feel...
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...
Amid the global pandemic, Japanese carmaker Toyota is now allowing eligible official workers to work permanently from home. The policy is part of an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, as well as to accommodate employees who are caring for small...