A court in Japan has allowed a trans man to change his gender in official records without undergoing gender-affirming surgery.
According to a report in The Guardian; months before the ruling, the Supreme Court of Japan had ruled that requiring sterilization surgery to change gender in official records was unconstitutional.
PREVIOUS REQUEST HAD BEEN REJECTED
In Japan, undergoing surgery was considered a mandatory requirement for an official gender change. The Supreme Court of Japan examined the situation following an individual application and concluded that, according to the constitution, it would be appropriate to change records based on individuals' declarations.
50-year-old Tacaquito Usui's application had been rejected by the court 5 years ago. Usui, who did not want to undergo sterilization surgery, had applied to the court to change his gender to male in the records without surgery, but the court at that time had ruled that this was not in accordance with the law.
"I AM STANDING AT THE STARTING LINE OF MY NEW LIFE"
Japan was previously known as a conservative country, especially regarding LGBTI-Q and women's rights. The decision of the Supreme Court of Japan is an unprecedented ruling in the country regarding gender equality.
Participating in a televised press conference following the ruling, Usui said, “It feels like I am standing at the starting line of my new life. I am very excited.”
News Source: 12punto
