Shinto

• As many reports of the bill’s passage on June 16, 2023, have noted, Japan lags far behind other G7 countries when it comes to the legal protection of sexual minorities.
• Moreover, Japan’s history on same-sex relationships is decidedly more mixed than many in the country’s national politics, or in the West, would acknowledge.

Changes in society, courts and corporate Japan

• And a vague stipulation in the bill that “all citizens can live with peace of mind” has been criticized by LGBTQ activists for de-prioritizing the rights of sexual minorities.
• A month later, a Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly law prohibited all discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Polling in February 2023 found that 64.3% of Japanese respondents backed laws that promoted a better understanding of sexual minorities.
• Several district courts have now ruled that the Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage violates Article 14 of its constitution, which guarantees equality of all people before the law.

Pushback at national level

• Although these do not provide legal protection against discrimination more broadly, they do offer some benefits, including the option to apply for public housing.
• More than 300 municipalities – representing around two-thirds of the population – already allow same-sex couples to enter partnership agreements which are recognized at the local level.
• While Shinto, Japan’s ancient and influential religious tradition, is perceived to be staunchly conservative, at least one Shinto sect has expressed support of the LGTBQ community.

Long-standing queer culture

• From the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century, an elaborate male-male sexual culture could be found among the country’s warrior class, Buddhist monks, and in the theater and entertainment world.
• Warriors typically married and had children, but they also thought nothing of demanding complete devotion from their male underlings, often including sexual favors and even romance.
• A variant of such male-male sexual relations could also be found in Buddhist monasteries, where it was couched in spiritual terms.

‘Press on till Japan changes’

• Similar to the U.S., the LGBTQ movement in Japan has gained momentum over the last half century.
• Newly founded LGBTQ organizations in Japan worked to reframe how people thought about sexual minority rights, emphasizing that they were human rights.
• Its theme is “Press on Till Japan Changes.” Society already is – the question is will the national government follow.

• MATRIX Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Junichi Goishi; hereinafter “MATRIX”) of the MetaReal Group is pleased to announce the start of its “Hatsumōde” Metaverse World creation contest on DOKODEMO Door ( https://dokodemodoors.com/en/ ), the company’s reality Metaverse platform.
• View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230109005006/en/
  Hatsumode Metaverse World Creation Contest (Graphic: Business Wire)
  By creating real-life VR content introducing the traditional first visit to a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine of the Japanese New Year, etc., to users of the platform from around the world, contest participants in the contest can win cash rewards, with the winner receiving 100,000 JPY.
• The contest is open to anyone who can create their own “Hatsumōde” first visit real-life Metaverse World.
• *Metaverser: A user who creates a metaverse space (World) or holds an Event on the DOKODEMO Door platform.

• Leading online travel agency CheapOair.ca is marking the season with a look at some of the top destinations to view breathtaking fall foliage.
• Canadian Rockies, Alberta: With its sub-alpine larch and aspen trees, the Canadian Rockies in Alberta are one of Canadas national treasures.
• It is here that you will be able to view the lush Autumn foliage, whether on foot or by boat.
• Canadians can find up-to-date travel-related guidelines to destinations worldwide via the Ready for your next trip section on CheapOair.ca .

• BOSTON, Jan. 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- myOrthos, a leading OSO (Orthodontic Support Organization), recently announced their inaugural Clinical Board of Directors, comprised of five esteemed doctors from their partner practices.
• Learn more about myOrthos and their Clinical Board of Directors at myOrthos.com .
• The mission of the Clinical Board of Directors is to lead, advise, and advance the clinical direction of myOrthos, and to be a trusted and valued partner to business operations.
• To create the Board, myOrthos solicited doctor nominations from employees across the company, including front desk coordinators, chairside assistants, doctors, and myOrthos support services team members.