Japan Press Weekly

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2022 November 9 - 15 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

March calling for protection of transgender rights takes place in Tokyo

Seeking to increase public awareness of the need to protect transgender people’s rights and dignity, an event called “Tokyo Trans March” took place on November 12 in Tokyo’s major shopping district of Shinjuku.

The event, hosted by a civil group working on transgender issues, “Transgender Japan”, attracted 1,000 participants and received messages from political party representatives, including Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo.

JCP Shii in his message in solidarity stated that the JCP Program aims to eliminate sexual orientation- and gender identity-based discrimination, and expressed his hope to learn from people fighting on transgender issues, and work together with them in addressing the issues.

Among marchers was a transgender person, who introduced himself as Madam Bonjour Jean, said, “Since I was a child, I have been racked with pain associated with the difference between my gender identity and my sex which is female. I hope today’s event will become a first step toward developing a deep understanding of sexual diversity.”

Chanting in chorus, “No to sex discrimination!”, “I decide for myself!”, the marchers appealed to pedestrians to support their demand for creating a society which will respect trans and gender-diverse people.