Japan`s gay parade returns after 3 yrs

Social Taboo

While some celebrities can afford to be open about being gay or transsexual, coming out is a big social taboo for most Japanese.

There are also very few openly gay politicians in Japan so little lobbying in the corridors of power over gay rights.

Japanese gays and lesbians have no right to the civil partnerships or marriages offered in some other countries.

"Some people are so desperate to officially form a family, that the older partner adopts the younger one -- that's the only way to gain the right to hospital visits or inheritance," said Aoki from Sapporo.

But Aya Kamikawa, the first ever transgender politician in Japan and a councillor for the biggest ward in Tokyo, stressed that changes can only happen when people become more open about what they want.

"There are about 5,000 people working in the Setagaya ward office and none of them is openly gay," said Kamikawa, who succeeded in lobbying for sex changes to be recognised by the family register system in 2003.

"Some workers come to me secretly to confess their sexual orientation and I always tell them to speak out if they want things to change."

Despite the economic slowdown taking its toll on bars in Shinjuku's "2-chome", the parade has seen a gradual increase in participants and this year over 5,000 are expected to march, dance and take part in side events.

"People come here from all over the country to celebrate in style so I'm taking a day off in the office," smiled Yuu, toasting a glass of sake rice wine. :We will be flooded with the happy crowd."