Queer Japan

2019, Aya Kamikawa, Book, Japan, Japanese,

Director: Graham Kolbeins
Release Year: 2019

Synopsis:

Graham Kolbeins’ documentary "Queer Japan" offers a wide-ranging look at the multifaceted LGBTQ+ culture in contemporary Japan. Through candid interviews, the film highlights the country’s evolving gender politics, revealing the struggles and triumphs of queer individuals in a traditionally conservative society. The documentary features a diverse array of personalities, from drag queen Vivienne Sato and manga artist Gengoroh Tagame to the pioneering transgender politician Aya Kamikawa. Among these voices, Kamikawa’s story stands out as one of the most profound and transformative. 

 

Aya Kamikawa’s journey is at the heart of "Queer Japan", and her contributions to transgender rights are pivotal in the film. Kamikawa was the first openly transgender person elected to public office in Japan, a groundbreaking moment in the country's history. Born in Tokyo in 1968, Kamikawa’s path to politics was long and complex. Initially, she worked in public relations while presenting herself in a masculine way. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s, after experiencing significant stress due to gender dysphoria, that she began hormone replacement therapy and transitioned. Her transition was not just personal but also political. In 2003, at the age of 35, Kamikawa ran for office in the Setagaya ward assembly, the most populous district in Tokyo. Despite facing significant media scrutiny, she won a seat as an independent, placing sixth out of 72 candidates. 

 

Although the government still classified her as male in official records, Kamikawa insisted on working as a woman and used her platform to advocate for the rights of marginalized groups, including women, children, the elderly, and, notably, the LGBTQ+ community. Her election was a significant moment for both transgender visibility and LGBTQ+ rights in Japan, a country where such topics were often considered taboo. Kamikawa’s election symbolized a step forward, but it also highlighted the slow pace of societal acceptance. It wasn’t until 2005, after the passage of Japan’s Gender Identity Disorder (GID) law, that Kamikawa was finally able to legally change her gender on official documents, including her koseki (family register), marking another major milestone in her journey. Kamikawa’s impact extends beyond her role in politics. She has been a vocal advocate for transgender rights and has written about her experiences in "The Courage to Change", a memoir that chronicles her struggles and triumphs in a society that was largely unprepared for a public figure like her. Through her work, Kamikawa has not only helped pave the way for future transgender politicians but has also inspired countless individuals to live authentically. 

 

While Kamikawa’s political story is one of the most striking in "Queer Japan", the film also explores a wide variety of queer expressions throughout Japan. One of the most compelling aspects of the documentary is its exploration of Japan’s vibrant drag and performance scene. In particular, "Queer Japan" delves into the subculture of Department H, a kink-positive bar and performance space. Here, non-binary artist Saeborg uses rubber to create performances that transcend the human form, exploring new and radical gender expressions. The performances at Department H, including a surreal sequence involving inflatable pigs, showcase how gender and sexuality are not only performed but are actively reimagined in radical and often avant-garde ways. The film also presents the broader drag scene, including the legendary Vivienne Sato, who challenges societal norms surrounding language and identity. Sato’s performances are both a celebration and a critique of the constraints that society places on gender. These scenes of performative expression form an integral part of "Queer Japan", illustrating how gender and sexual identity can be fluid, performative, and deeply personal. 

 

One of the key themes in "Queer Japan" is the difficulty that transgender individuals face when seeking legal recognition of their gender. Although Japan’s 2004 Gender Identity Disorder (GID) law allowed individuals to change their legal sex, it comes with significant barriers. The law requires transgender individuals to undergo sterilization and be diagnosed with gender identity disorder before they can legally change their gender marker. This controversial law has drawn criticism for its human rights implications, particularly for transgender people who may not wish to undergo surgery or who do not identify with the medical model of gender dysphoria. Despite these challenges, Kamikawa’s experience represents a powerful testament to the importance of visibility and representation. Her election as a transgender politician, followed by the eventual change in her legal documents, highlights the potential for change in a society that is slowly beginning to reckon with its own understanding of gender. However, as the documentary shows, there are still many challenges that transgender individuals face in Japan, from difficulties in obtaining legal recognition to pervasive societal discrimination. "Queer Japan" touches on these struggles but, at times, feels like it focuses more on the positive, more visible aspects of the queer community, rather than the more difficult and nuanced lived experiences of those on the margins. 

 

While "Queer Japan" provides a fascinating and often celebratory view of the LGBTQ+ community in Japan, it also leaves some important questions unanswered. As one of the film’s subjects, butoh dancer Atsushi Matsuda, notes, there is a significant gap between the visibility of queer people in Japan and actual societal acceptance. Japan’s queer community may be more visible than ever, but this visibility does not always translate into acceptance or understanding. Matsuda’s remarks reflect the ongoing tension in Japanese society between its fascination with queer culture and its reluctance to fully embrace it. This is particularly evident in the film’s brief but powerful exploration of the Tokyo Pride Parade. While the parade is presented as a joyful celebration, it also serves as a reminder of the discrimination that many queer individuals still face. Freddy Kitsu, one of the parade’s participants, shares their frustration with the commercialization of Pride, noting that corporate involvement often glosses over the very real struggles that queer individuals face, such as discrimination in public spaces. This moment in the film, though brief, raises an important issue that is not fully explored in the documentary—how can queer pride exist in a society where full acceptance is still out of reach? 

 

Despite its broad focus, "Queer Japan" offers a unique and vibrant look at queer life in Japan. While the film provides a wealth of individual stories, from drag queens to manga artists to activists like Aya Kamikawa, it also leaves viewers with a deeper understanding of the universality of the queer experience. The challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Japan may be shaped by the country’s specific cultural context, but the themes of identity, self-expression, and the fight for recognition resonate globally. Kolbeins’ documentary does an admirable job of presenting the diverse ways in which queer people in Japan are reshaping the social landscape. Yet, at times, the film could have delved deeper into the complexities of these issues, particularly the struggles of transgender individuals like Kamikawa, whose legal and social battles reflect broader global struggles for equality and human rights. Nonetheless, "Queer Japan" remains an important and inspiring film that highlights the resilience and creativity of queer individuals in Japan and around the world.

 

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Image credits: YouTube