07/30/2007
Japanese Lesbian Kanako Otsuji Loses Bid for Seat in Parliament
Kanako Otsuji, who came out in 2005 and said her political aspirations were "inspired by the pain and isolation of the five years it took her to accept that she was a lesbian," lost her election bid for a seat in Japan's upper house on Monday.
Reuters reports: "Kanako Otsuji, 32, backed by the main opposition Democratic Party, had campaigned in front of rainbow-coloured flags, with loudspeakers declaring to passers-by she was a lesbian...She had vowed to promote a more diverse society and seek laws to prohibit discrimination, including against sexual minorities, and had planned to introduce a bill legalising same-sex marriage."
Said Otsuji to supporters: "I hope to continue until I see the day that we look back and say, 'This is a historic day in the history of sexual minorities.'We will remember this day because it is the day we grew stronger."
Posted 5:00 PM EST by Andy Towle in Japan, Kanako Otsuji, News | Permalink
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Having lived in Japan a little while I think going in with an extreme approach of loud and proud is very noble but it definitely won't give you the votes. I talked to a few exchange students about their views of gay people and there were many diverse opinions but the more conservative ones seem to think that gay people had a disorder and didn't love themselves. I'm proud of Otsuji finding the strength to be everything she is on a daily basis and during campaigning.
Posted by: Scott A | Jul 30, 2007 10:41:51 PM
Scott, your experiences are very interesting. Having traveled there a number of times, I think Japan is an enigma that I don't quite understand. Apparently, there's plenty of casual gay sex, but the idea of queer identities seem to baffle most Japanese.
Still, it's nice to see an election in Japan that's actually contested. Usually, the ritualistic annointings of the ruling LDP are pointless exercises in "arrogant humility." With this election, maybe we'll finally see Japan emerge from staid one-party politics.
Living in California, we do get access to some of their channels. It's definitely funny to see the talking heads on NHK and Fuji TV actually being forced to discuss the results of the vote. They are clearly unaccustomed to giving commentary on the government losing. There were a lot of ackward moments in those newsrooms.
Posted by: John | Jul 30, 2007 11:02:01 PM
I've heard Japan is pretty racist, black travelers there have reported incidences such as groups of Japanese people referring to them as apes and giggling about it right in front of them. It's a very homogeneous society, not very welcoming to outsiders of any race. But apparently a good percentage of Japanese are flat-out racist about blacks, not just unwelcoming. The Japanese are obsessed with Western culture, and the racism and homophobia probably comes from a blind desire to copy Amerikkka. Amerikkka is exporting it's moronic prejudices like a cancerous growth. On the bright-side, at least the younger generation has it's eyes open and is overwhelmingly liberal. Maybe they can make America great again, although they'll only be inheriting the tattered remains of it.
Posted by: Johnny | Jul 31, 2007 6:14:59 AM
damn that sucks johhny cause i wanted to go there cause japanese dudes are hot cause that is my main reason ofor wanting to go places italy and france i di not have that problem my dad has it in idia and china they hate everyone at least they smile when they curse you
totally unrelated to the post
Posted by: sasha | Jul 31, 2007 11:33:34 AM