Every month we look at international news briefs, courtesy of Equal Eyes, a news source produced in collaboration with United Nations
Japan
This Scientist Brilliantly Argues That America’s DACA Showdown Is ‘Japanese Internment 2.0’
Japanese internment is a dark stain on U.S. history, and this scientist argues the DACA showdown is the same thing all over again
The ‘Queer Eye’ Fab Five Are Heading to Japan for a 4-Episode Miniseries
The stars of the hit Netflix series are heading to Japan for a four-episode miniseries of makeovers
Japan’s Supreme Court Just Upheld a Law Forcing Surgery and Sterilization on Trans People
A decision today has upheld a law requiring forced sterilization before trans people can legally change their gender
Here Are 6 International Delicacies You’ll Find at L.A.’s Disgusting Food Museum
The museum features 80 dishes from around the world that are considered downright revolting outside the cultures that originated them
The Daily Sting, Wednesday: Madonna’s NYE Stonewall Gig, Brazil’s Bolsonaro Takes Office
A Madonna NYE gig at Stonewall has everyone talking, as does news of “proud homophobe” Bolsonaro taking office in Brazil
From Buff Swimmers to Queer Rock Icons, These Are 5 of the Best Gay Anime of All Time
While there are a number of queer characters in anime, they’re not always treated well — but these 5 gay anime series show the world how it’s done
Despite Marriage Equality on Track in Taiwan, LGBTQ Liberation Still Has a Long Way to Go in Asia
Taiwan is still on track to welcome marriage equality, but will Thailand beat it to become the first Asian country with same-sex unions?
A Whole Lot More Anime Will Soon Be Making Its Way to Hulu
Following a just-announced deal by anime distribution company Funimation and the streaming service, a lot more anime on Hulu is in the cards
Week In Review: Cher Drops Gayest Album Ever, These Gay Penguins Just Want a Family
In this week’s top stories, we take a look at a very hunky vet plus Cher’s great new album and surprisingly shaped buildings
‘That Blue Sky Feeling’ Is a Beautiful Comic About a Blossoming Gay Relationship
Last month, the first volume of ‘That Blue Sky Feeling’ came out, and it’s a beautifully low-key look at a friendship that may become something more
‘The Masked Belle Poitrine’ Was a Massive Influence on ‘Sailor Moon’
A ‘Sailor Moon’ fan just discovered ‘The Masked Belle Poitrine’ the rare 1990 show that may have inspired everyone’s favorite animated heroine
From its historically lax attitude toward gays in the military to its celebration of transgender and openly gay pop culture figures like Ataru Nakamura and Akihiro Miwa, Japan’s general attitude toward the LGBTQ community has been relatively accepting compared to some of its more puritanical and authoritarian friends.
Still, while reports of outright discrimination are somewhat rare, Japan still has no national law protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination, and same-sex couples are still ineligible for the many of the legal protections available to opposite-sex couples in Japan.
Not to mention, the Human Rights Watch organization recently reported an alarming ‘epidemic’ of LGBTQ bullying in Japanese schools. However, given the fact that the majority of Japanese citizens are supportive of LGBTQ rights, and the fact that many municipalities, including Tokyo, have begun putting legal protections in place, and have begun to implement training programs geared toward spreading awareness and tolerance, we can only hope that they continue heading in the right direction.
Here are our top stories on Japan: