Happy New Year! 2026 is off to an… unusual start, to say the least. However, the legitimacy of kidnapping foreign heads of state because certain world leaders don’t enjoy that they are terminally linked with an island of child abusers is beyond the scope of this article, or indeed our website.
However, there are many things to look forward to (or, at least, anticipate) for LGBTQ+ people in Japan. While it is also beyond the scope — or ability — for your devoted writer to predict everything that will happen in the upcoming twelve months, here are some things to look forward to, or that have already happened, in the big 2026!
Society
Marumi Yamazaki
One of the most moving moments for LGBTQ+ people and supporters, right at the start of 2026, was the revelation from Marumi Yamazaki, a footballer from Japan’s JEF United Chiba team, and announced that he had legally changed his gender.
He said that the reason that he retired from soccer was to make his dream come true. He says that he is married to a “wonderful woman,” and that his gender has been officially changed on the family register.
Potential Supreme Court Case?
Following multiple court cases that found that disallowing marriage equality is unconstitutional, it is becoming more and more likely that the possibility of same-gender marriage will be heading to the Supreme Court of Japan.
What will this mean? Well, absent legislation or a binding referendum, the Supreme Court is the final word on whether or not basic human rights for LGBTQ+ people exist or not. Sadly, while it is obvious to anyone with a heart that restricting marriage is beneath contempt and should not be tolerated, there are interpretations of the Japanese constitution that could fundamentally hinder the basic human rights of those living in Japan.
Conversely, it could dramatically improve them. If the Supreme Court has the bravery to understand that the dignity of its own citizens is not up for debate, then it will be a historical victory for not just queer people in Japan, but for the people of Japan as a whole.
Upcoming Media
The Boyfriend Series 2
Everyone. Loved. The Boyfriend. Your beloved JGG had a review of the series here. And so now, we’re hyped, shocked, and hooked by the new series. A new location and new people are one thing, but how else does it make itself a novelty, after being the first queer Japanese dating show?
Well, the answer is: drama. From moment one to the end of the first episode, you’ll note that it is theater with a capital “fuck.” If you’re not paying attention, then what are you even doing?
This Is I
An upcoming Netflix movie based on the life of Haruna Ai, a trans woman who was the first Japanese woman to win Miss International Queen. Based on her autobiography, This Wonderful Life, the movie promises to show the difficulties and joys of being a trans woman in modern Japan.
Ms. Haruna is an icon in Japan, and following on the heels of The Boyfriend season 2, this depiction of her life (and the fact that it is being depicted) is evidence of how Japan is becoming more accepting.
Go For It, Nakamura!
Regrettably denied from 2025, we will at last — at LAST! — have the anime adaptation of Go For It, Nakamura!. A story about a young man who is crushing on his classmate… but isn’t ready to declare either his feelings or his sexuality yet.
The feeling of fantasies about charming your crush are ubiquitous, but the manga has been praised for how how our introverted hero portrays these feelings. So while it’s been a long time coming, it will be worth the wait.
2026 will, we hope, be a terrific year for LGBTQ+ people. Our focus is on the court. But no matter what, we hope you have a terrific year!
