How Governments Impede Progress, and Why Japan Leads the Pack
When governments impede or facilitate social progress, they often do so in ways that reflect the attitudes and beliefs of their citizens. In a sense, legislation is often a mirror reflecting the collective mindset of society. However, Japan stands out as a peculiar case—a nation where citizens are generally open to progressive ideas, yet the government stubbornly clings to outdated policies that hinder social progress. So, where does this gap between society and government arise, and why does Japan lead the pack?
In Japan, people have been generally open to concepts that Western societies historically shunned for centuries. The depiction of sex and homosexuality in Japanese art and literature dates back to the Edo period, where "shunga" (erotic woodblock prints) and "wakashu" (beautiful young men) featured prominently in popular culture. The acceptance of fluid sexual identities can be traced back to ancient practices, with homosexuality being considered a natural part of life among samurai and in Buddhist monasteries. Japan's attitude towards sexual openness extends to modern pop culture, where gay romance is widely celebrated in manga, anime, and film. This progressive attitude starkly contrasts with the conservatism that defined the West for centuries, where homosexuality was criminalized and viewed as taboo.
Western governments have their own history of impeding social progress. From criminalizing homosexuality to enforcing strict drug prohibition, they have often lagged behind societal norms. In the United States, marijuana legalization is still a patchwork of conflicting state and federal laws despite overwhelming public support for reform. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prevented federal recognition of same-sex marriages until it was struck down in 2013. Even in Europe, where social policies are generally progressive, countries like Hungary and Poland have enacted anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, revealing that social conservatism still lingers in pockets across the continent.
But despite this progressive cultural backdrop, Japan's government remains a paradox. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), despite its "liberal" label, is anything but. The LDP has dominated Japanese politics for decades and remains firmly rooted in conservative values, advocating traditional family structures and limited social change. Despite the passing of the Gender Identity Disorder Special Cases Act in 2003, transgender individuals must undergo sterilization surgery and remain unmarried to legally change their gender, requirements that are clearly out of touch with the spirit of the legislation. The LDP consistently resists passing laws that protect LGBTQ+ rights, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has openly expressed his hesitation about same-sex marriage. Moreover, Japanese electoral politics largely exclude the general population, especially younger citizens, with voter turnout rates for those under 30 among the lowest in developed countries. This lack of political participation has allowed the LDP to maintain a stranglehold on power and resist the progressive changes that Japanese society has already embraced culturally. Not that there are too many alternatives, anyways.
Specific examples further highlight the government's conservatism despite the Japanese being accepting of progressive societal norms. Gay romance has permeated manga and movies for decades, and transgender personalities like Ai Haruna and Matsuko Deluxe have been staples on TV shows. Yet, Japan remains one of the few developed countries where same-sex marriage is neither legally recognized nor performed. Sex and prostitution, despite technically being illegal, are ubiquitous in Japanese society. Convenience stores openly sell pornographic magazines, and prostitution thrives under the guise of “soaplands” and hostess bars. This contradiction arises from loopholes in the law and vague legal wording that people exploit to continue operating without legal consequences.
But the gap between government policy and societal norms isn't limited to sex and gender. Japan's approach to cannabis legalization is another area where the government is stubbornly conservative. Despite mounting scientific evidence supporting the medicinal benefits of cannabis, and a growing acceptance of its use globally, Japan maintains one of the strictest anti-cannabis laws in the world. Possession, even in minuscule quantities, can lead to severe legal consequences. This, despite the fact that cannabis was used widely in traditional Japanese medicine until the Cannabis Control Law was enacted in 1948 under American occupation.
The peculiarities of Japan's social landscape reveal an intricate tapestry where progress and tradition coexist, sometimes harmoniously and other times in stark contrast. This is a country where subcultures thrive in hidden alleys, expressing what the mainstream government refuses to acknowledge. From the flamboyant drag queens of Shinjuku Ni-chome to the avant-garde art of Tokyo's galleries, a counter-narrative of rebellion and creativity is woven into the very fabric of society. While the government clings to outdated norms, Japan's people continue to redefine the boundaries of love, identity, and personal freedom. The gap between government policy and societal norms may seem like a chasm, but it has given rise to a vibrant undercurrent that relentlessly pushes the limits of what's considered acceptable—creating a fascinating cultural paradox that is uniquely Japanese.
