Japan sterilization requirement for transgender people deemed unconstitutional
In a landmark decision on October 25th, Japan’s Supreme Court ruled that the mandate requiring transgender individuals to undergo sterilization to legally change their gender in civil registries is unconstitutional. This decision stemmed from a case brought forward by a transgender woman challenging the 2003 statute that necessitated various prerequisites, including sterilization, for official gender recognition. Previously, in 2019, the court had upheld the law, citing concerns about societal complications. However, this recent verdict reflects a shift in perspective. Despite this progress, Japan remains the only G7 nation that doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages or civil unions at a national level. Read full article