Two Guest writers reveal the obvious and hidden delights, differences and frustrations of living and visiting in modern gay Japan.
Japan comprises over 3,000 islands making it an archipelago. Japan has the world’s tenth largest population, with about 128 million people. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital city of Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents. A major economic power Japan has the world’s second largest economy by nominal GDP and the third largest in purchasing power parity. It is a developed country with high living standards (8th highest) and a world leader in technology, machinery, and robotics.
Japan has had no laws against homosexuality. Technically, sex among consenting adults, in private, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender, is not a crime under National legislation. However, some local governments and prefectures have indirectly addressed homosexuality by enacting laws that effectively raise the age of consent for homosexual conduct to eighteen, on the grounds of protecting the youth. Japanese civil rights laws do not include protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. However, the city government of Tokyo has passed legislation banning discrimination in employment based on sexual identity. See gay rights in Japan.
