In Japan, it is legal to be a lesbian, but the practice has been frowned upon by society and religion. While seven years of homosexuality in the country between 1873 and 1880 were a rare exception, it did not lead to a much greater visibility for lesbians. However, the lack of visibility has not prevented Japanese lesbians from producing art, writing, and other forms of culture. The uchi/soto dichotomy remains a foundational framework for Japanese society.
This book also features a fascinating chapter on the gay community in Japan. The first section of the book focuses on the lesbian bar scene in Tokyo, while the next two explore the early history of lesbian activism and feminism. It examines the development of gay pride events and the first LGBT film festivals.
The second section focuses on the lesbian dance club scene. While women-only clubs are still relatively unknown, they are becoming increasingly popular. Unlike in the West, lesbian clubs in Japan feature dancers and gogos. Moreover, they have started to hold regular LGBT film festivals. While there is not a large number of lesbian bars in Japan, there are many gay and lesbian events. While there are still no official LGBT events in Japan, there are many LGBT parties and activities throughout the year.
In Japan, the laws are progressive for an Asian country. While same-sex sexual activity is legal, it is still illegal for same-sex marriage. But it is legal for Japanese citizens to marry partners of the same sex abroad. There are seven cities that provide partnership certificates for same-sex couples. These partnership certificates provide them with rights in housing and hospital visitation. They are also more open-minded than other countries in Asia.
A lesbian in Japan needs to be aware of the moral nuances in her society. She is aware of the social implications of the sexual orientation of her partner. Consequently, she must be aware of the religious and cultural values of her partner in order to avoid being rejected by the local community. This is a very difficult task for a lesbian in Japan, so it is vital to find out what she must do to stay as safe as possible.