Women’s universities in Japan are slowly starting to accept trans students

Prince Hisahito of Japan (C) poses for the media, accompanied by his parents, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, before the graduation ceremony of Ochanomizu University Junior High School in Tokyo. (Eugene Hoshiko/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Many women’s universities in Japan are beginning to accept trans students, marking a positive move in a more inclusive direction.

Six facilities currently accept trans women, and one facility plans to do so in the future. Mainichi Shimbun Found between September and October. A total of 60 universities were surveyed and 40 responded.

Of the six schools that responded that they allow trans women to enroll, two were public schools: Ochanomizu University in Tokyo and Nara Women’s University.

The remaining four schools are private: Japan Women’s University, Tsuda College (both in Tokyo), Miyagi Gakuin Women’s University (Miyagi), and Notre Dame Seishin University (Okayama).

Fukuoka Women’s University announced in July that it would begin accepting trans women from 2029.

The survey also revealed that a further 16 facilities were open to accepting trans students, with five saying they were “seriously considering” the option.

Seventeen universities responded that they do not accept trans students, and the majority cited a lack of facilities such as multipurpose toilets.

As reported, tokyo weekender, Representatives from women’s universities in western Japan cited Japan’s legal framework as a reason why their universities do not accept trans students.

“In Japan, the legal framework regarding sexual minorities, including transgender people, is inadequate, and social discussion is not progressing.Without a clear vision for promoting understanding, it will take a certain amount of time and careful dialogue to gain the understanding of students and their parents.”

The slow move towards inclusivity follows a “significant setback” for the country after a court ruled its ban on same-sex marriage was constitutional.

A ruling handed down by the Tokyo High Court on November 28 outlined that Japan’s ban on equal marriage does not violate Article 24, Paragraphs 1 and 2, or Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution.

The ruling is the final ruling in a series of six high court cases related to same-sex marriage filed between 2019 and 2021 in cities including Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo. The Supreme Court decision is expected as all the High Court judgments have been passed.

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