Japan to institute nationwide LGBTQ+ education program

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

Japan to institute nationwide LGBTQ+ education program

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/japan-to-institute-nationwide-lgbtq-education-program/ 🔗

Greg Owen (20 June 2026)

Japan is on the verge of instituting a nationwide LGBTQ+ education program, designed to address a lack of public knowledge on gender and sexual diversity in the country, ABC Japan reports.

The plan was approved by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) earlier this month and is expected to get a sign-off by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet, despite the new PM's official opposition to same-sex marriage. Takaichi was elected to the post by Japan's Parliament in October.

Observers say young people's enthusiasm for Takaichi may be one factor behind her approval of the measure, as young Japanese people are much more in favor of same-sex marriage than older Japanese people.

Takaichi has gone on record opposing marriage equality, despite previously saying that "there should be no prejudice against sexual orientation or gender identity."

The education measure stems from the Act on the Promotion of Public Understanding of the Diversity of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, which passed in 2023 and required the creation of the new plan.

While it hasn't been made public, the initiative reportedly includes requirements for schools to provide information to students about sexually and gender-diverse people, as well as access to social workers and counselors. The plan also directs universities to add training on sexual diversity for future healthcare workers and academics.