Compare LGBT Rights in Japan, United States, & Germany

Equality Index ?
53 / 100
68 / 100
80 / 100
Legal Index ?
57 / 100
80 / 100
100 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
50 / 100
56 / 100
60 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1881
Legal
Since 2003
Legal
Since 1994
Same-sex marriageUnregistered cohabitation
Since 2024
Legal
Since 2015
Legal
Since 2017
Censorship of LGBT issuesNo censorshipVaries by Region
Since 2025
No censorship
Right to change legal genderLegal, but requires surgery
Since 2022
Varies by Region
Since 2025
Legal, no restrictions
Since 2024
Gender-affirming careLegal, but restricted for minors
Since 1997
Varies by Region
Since 2021
Legal
Since 1945
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognizedVaries by Region
Since 2025
Recognized
Since 2024
Hate crime protectionsNo protectionsVaries by Region
Since 2009
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2024
LGBT discriminationIllegal in some contexts
Since 2018
Varies by Region
Since 2015
Illegal
Since 2006
LGBT employment discriminationVaries by RegionSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2025
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2006
LGBT housing discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2003
Varies by RegionSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2006
Same-sex adoptionAmbiguousVaries by Region
Since 2017
Legal
Since 2017
Intersex infant surgeryNot bannedNot bannedFull ban
Since 2021
Serving openly in militaryLegal
Since 1947
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Since 2025
Legal
Since 2000
Blood donations by MSMsBanned (6-month deferral)
Since 2011
Legal
Since 2023
Legal
Since 2023
Conversion therapyNot bannedVaries by RegionBanned
Since 2020
Equal age of consentEqual
Since 1947
EqualEqual
Since 1988
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
71% Did not mention homosexuals
26% Mentioned homosexuals
81% Did not mention homosexuals
13% Mentioned homosexuals
90% Did not mention homosexuals
7% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
43% Justifiable
15% Not justifiable
44% Justifiable
25% Not justifiable
64% Justifiable
13% Not justifiable
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
69% Support
6% Against
72% Support
15% Against
81% Support
10% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
68% Agree
20% Disagree
72% Agree
22% Disagree
69% Agree
24% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
44% Agree
10% Disagree
53% Agree
17% Disagree
61% Agree
19% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
68% Yes
22% No
72% Yes
21% No
86% Yes
11% No
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against sexual orientation (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
Region not surveyed
56% Rare
36% Widespread
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against transgender people (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
Region not surveyed
44% Rare
31% Widespread
Acceptance of same-sex relationships (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
Region not surveyed
86% Agree
10% Disagree
Support for transgender people changing legal gender (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
Region not surveyed
70% Yes
17% No
Support for same-sex marriage (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
Region not surveyed
61% Approve
39% Disapprove
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of gay people in public office (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
Region not surveyed
73% Approve
27% Disapprove
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
23% Justifiable
28% Not justifiable
32% Justifiable
31% Not justifiable
37% Justifiable
27% Not justifiable
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
54% Yes
36% No
60% Yes
33% No
87% Yes
11% No
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
28% Good place
39% Not a good place
70% Good place
22% Not a good place
62% Good place
24% Not a good place
Full DetailsFull DetailsFull Details

Full details about each issue can be found on each region's page. Data missing from the above chart? You can help! Sign up or log in to contribute information to Equaldex!

Share This Comparison