A Japanese high court has approved a legal gender change for a transgender woman without requiring compulsory gender-affirming surgery, marking progress in gender rights in Japan.
Key Points
Approval of legal gender change without surgery
Signaling a change in how gender issues are addressed in Japan
Recognition of the unconstitutionality of the sterilization requirement
Pros
Progress in gender rights in Japan
Removal of compulsory gender-affirming surgery requirement
Recognition of hormone therapy as sufficient for legal gender change
Cons
Questions remain for those who cannot take hormones