Compare LGBT Rights in Japan & Sweden

Equality Index ?
52 / 100
75 / 100
Legal Index ?
53 / 100
85 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
51 / 100
65 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1881
Legal
Since 1944
Same-sex marriageBanned
Since 1947
Legal
Since 2009
Censorship of LGBT issuesNo censorshipNo censorship
Right to change legal genderLegal, but requires surgery
Since 2022
Legal, no restrictions
Since 2025
Gender-affirming careLegal, but restricted for minors
Since 1997
Legal, but restricted for minors
Since 2022
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognizedNot legally recognized
Hate crime protectionsNo protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2019
LGBT discriminationIllegal in some contexts
Since 2018
Illegal
Since 2009
LGBT employment discriminationVaries by RegionSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 1999
LGBT housing discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2009
Same-sex adoptionAmbiguousLegal
Since 2002
Intersex infant surgeryNot bannedNot banned
Serving openly in militaryLegal
Since 1947
Legal
Since 2009
Blood donations by MSMsBanned (6-month deferral)
Since 2011
Banned (6-month deferral)
Since 2021
Conversion therapyNot bannedNot banned
Equal age of consentEqual
Since 1947
Equal
Since 1978
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
71% Did not mention homosexuals
26% Mentioned homosexuals
96% Did not mention homosexuals
2% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
43% Justifiable
15% Not justifiable
80% Justifiable
8% Not justifiable
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
69% Support
6% Against
89% Support
3% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
68% Agree
20% Disagree
79% Agree
17% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
44% Agree
10% Disagree
75% Agree
10% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
68% Yes
22% No
94% Yes
5% No
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against sexual orientation (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
55% Rare
42% Widespread
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against transgender people (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
32% Rare
57% Widespread
Acceptance of same-sex relationships (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
95% Agree
5% Disagree
Support for transgender people changing legal gender (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
69% Yes
22% No
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
23% Justifiable
28% Not justifiable
69% Justifiable
11% Not justifiable
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
54% Yes
36% No
Region not surveyed
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
28% Good place
39% Not a good place
69% Good place
8% Not a good place
Full DetailsFull Details

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