JAPAN – Taiga Ishikawa, 36, has become the first openly gay person to be elected to office in Japan.
He recently won a seat in Tokyo’s Toshima Ward Assembly in the city’s local elections. He quickly drew attention to his victory’s significance for the nation’s LGBT community.
In a statement to AFP, Ishikawa said, “I hope my election victory will help our fellows nationwide to have hope for tomorrow, as many of them cannot accept themselves, feel lonely and isolated and even commit suicide. Many LGBTs, or sexual minorities, realize the fact when they are at elementary and junior high schools, many of which are operated by the municipality. As a ward assembly member, I would like to reinforce support to LGBT children at schools.”
Ishikawa revealed his sexuality in his 2002 book, Where Is My Boyfriend?
