Compare LGBT Rights in Japan

Equality Index ?
64 / 100
Legal Index ?
72 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
56 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1881
Same-sex marriageCivil unions (limited rights)
Since 2015
Censorship of LGBT IssuesNo censorship
Right to change legal genderLegal, but requires surgery
Since 2022
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognized
LGBT discriminationIllegal in some contexts
Since 2018
LGBT employment discriminationVaries by Region
LGBT housing discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2003
Same-sex adoptionAmbiguous
Serving openly in militaryLegal
Since 1947
Blood donations by MSMsBanned (6-month deferral)
Since 2011
Conversion therapyNot banned
Equal age of consentEqual
Since 1947
Public Opinion
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, June 21, 2023)
34% Good Place
0%
Support of same-sex marriage
(Pew Research Center, Feb. 21, 2023 – April 15, 2023)
68% Favor
26% Oppose
Support for same-sex adoption
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
66% Strongly/somewhat agree
19% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Support for same-sex marriage or legal recognition
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
69% Support marriage or legal recognition
9% Against
Views about same-sex couples' parenting
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
59% Strongly/somewhat agree
22% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Perceived prevalence of transgender discrimination
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
27% Not much/not at all
46% A great deal/fair amount
Support for transgender discrimination protection
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
69% Strongly/somewhat agree
16% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Support for teens’ access to gender-affirming care
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
65% Strongly/somewhat agree
17% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Support for trans access to facilities matching gender identity
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
52% Strongly/somewhat agree
26% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Support for non-binary gender option on official documents
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
58% Strongly/somewhat agree
22% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Support for insurance coverage of gender transition costs
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
41% Strongly/somewhat agree
38% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
43% Justifiable
15% Not justifiable
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
71% Did not mention homosexuals
26% Mentioned homosexuals
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
69% Support
6% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
68% Agree
20% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
44% Agree
10% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
68% Yes
22% No
Support for same-sex marriage
(ILGA / RIWI, October 2016)
33% Yes
27% No
Support for gender-affirming surgery
(ERA - LGBTI Equal Rights Association, July-August 2016)
56% Support
18% Oppose
Support for same-sex marriage
(ILGA / RIWI, April-June 2014)
28% Yes
30% No
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
23% Justifiable
28% Not justifiable
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
54% Yes
36% No
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
28% Good place
39% Not a good place
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2005-2009)
19% Justifiable
34% Not justifiable
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2000-2004)
16% Justifiable
39% Not justifiable
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 1995-1999)
10% Justifiable
53% Not justifiable
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 1990-1994)
4% Justifiable
68% Not justifiable
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 1990-1994)
31% Did not mention homosexuals
69% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 1981-1984)
3% Justifiable
61% Not justifiable
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