Are There LGBT Families in Japan? What Is Their Situation Like? An article that explains the difficulties for same-sex couples to have children using reproductive technologies or through adoption and fostering but that sees positive change coming for same-sex parenting in Japan. Japan Info, 6 Oct 2017
Our action About us This is English language information on the Rainbow Foster Care website. It focuses on the benefits for children who are in violent families or living in institutional care (care homes) rather than just the benefits for same-sex parents. It quotes Rainbow Foster Care founder, Megumi Fujii saying, "LGBT people can safeguard a child's right to grow up in a family?" It also points out that LGBT foster parents may be seen as a plus for children and may have a positive effect on them. Rainbow Foster Care.
Osaka the first city in Japan to certify gay couple as foster parents "Traditionally, only married couples or individuals are allowed to become foster parents. Members of the LGBT community have been eligible to foster children, but only as individuals." Japan Times, 6 Apr 2017.
Same-Sex Couples Can Now Be Foster Parents "In another sign of increasing acceptance of the LGBT+ community, it’s come to light that the city of Osaka has awarded foster care of a child to a same-sex male couple" The article explains that decisions about fostering are made at local government level not bu the national government. All About Japan, 24 Oct 2019.
Akashi city to certify same-sex couples, children as ‘family’ "The move is in response to calls from sexual minorities to recognize the family relationships between LGBT couples and their children." Asahi Shimbun, 14 Dec 2020.
Metro Tokyo to allow same-sex couples to be foster parents This article reports on change in rules in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government saying that these now allow same-sex couples to become foster parents., whereas before they were excluded from this. Mainichi Shimbun, 21 May 2018.
Tokyo celebrates as first ward begins registering queer families amid calls for LGBT+ rights overhaul "Adachi ward is the first municipality in Japan’s capital to acknowledge queer couples’ children – biological or adopted – as their family members." Pink News, 2 Apr 2021.
Family debate: same-sex parents? A long article that looks at the stories of same-sex couples that have or want children, at the legal obstacles for same-sex couples to use reproductive technology and adopt children because they cannot legally marry in Japan, and other issues including public attitudes to same-sex parents. The article notes it is rare for same-sex couples in Japan to raise children but that ore and more are doing so or want to. Japan Times, Japan Times, 16 Nov 2016.
Making LGBT Families a Possibility in Japan An article by a fertility doctor from the United States about growing interest among same-sex couples about having children in japan and also some of the legal issues related to this. Advocate, 7 Mar 2016.
レインボーフォスターケア / Rainbow Foster Care
新しい家族のカタチ LGBTQ+の親をもつ人たちの体験談集 This is an article of children's voices whose parents are LGBTIQ+. cosmopolitan, 29 Jan, 2020.
一般社団法人こどまっぷ 私たち「一般社団法人 こどまっぷ」は、2015年から団体としての活動を開始し、2018年9月に社団法人として新たにスタートしました。運営メンバーは9名。「LGBTQが子どもを持つ未来を当たり前に選択できる」そんな社会を目指して活動しています。活動の中心は東京都内ですが、様々な都市を尋ね、全国の仲間とのつながりを作ることを大切にしています。