Compare LGBT Rights in China, Japan, & South Korea

Equality Index ?
52 / 100
54 / 100
46 / 100
Legal Index ?
39 / 100
57 / 100
53 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
66 / 100
51 / 100
39 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1997
Legal
Since 1881
Legal
Same-sex marriageOther type of partnership
Since 2017
Unregistered cohabitation
Since 2024
Unregistered cohabitation
Since 2023
Censorship of LGBT issuesState-enforced
Since 2016
No censorshipNo censorship
Since 2003
Right to change legal genderLegal, but requires surgery
Since 1986
Legal, but requires surgery
Since 2022
Legal, no restrictions
Since 2020
Gender-affirming careRestrictedLegal, but restricted for minors
Since 1997
Restricted
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognizedNot legally recognizedNot legally recognized
Hate crime protectionsNo protectionsNo protectionsNo protections
LGBT discriminationNo protectionsIllegal in some contexts
Since 2018
Varies by Region
LGBT employment discriminationNo protectionsVaries by RegionVaries by Region
LGBT housing discriminationNo protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2003
Varies by Region
Same-sex adoptionSingle onlyAmbiguousIllegal
Intersex infant surgeryNot bannedNot bannedNot banned
Serving openly in militaryAmbiguousLegal
Since 1947
Illegal
Blood donations by MSMsBanned (indefinite deferral)
Since 2012
Banned (6-month deferral)
Since 2011
Legal
Conversion therapyNot bannedNot bannedNot banned
Equal age of consentEqual
Since 1997
Equal
Since 1947
Equal
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
28% Did not mention homosexuals
71% Mentioned homosexuals
71% Did not mention homosexuals
26% Mentioned homosexuals
20% Did not mention homosexuals
80% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
7% Justifiable
80% Not justifiable
43% Justifiable
15% Not justifiable
3% Justifiable
61% Not justifiable
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
63% Support
19% Against
69% Support
6% Against
54% Support
26% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
66% Agree
30% Disagree
68% Agree
20% Disagree
46% Agree
45% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
12% Agree
60% Disagree
44% Agree
10% Disagree
23% Agree
40% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
Region not surveyed
68% Yes
22% No
44% Yes
53% No
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
4% Justifiable
68% Not justifiable
23% Justifiable
28% Not justifiable
7% Justifiable
58% Not justifiable
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
21% Yes
57% No
54% Yes
36% No
39% Yes
59% No
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
14% Good place
53% Not a good place
28% Good place
39% Not a good place
18% Good place
57% Not a good place
Full DetailsFull DetailsFull Details

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