MIHO & SHOKO
Miho and Shoko sent us this video to celebrate World Sexual Health Day 2014. They are a lesbian couple who submitted a marriage certification to the Aomori city office in June of 2014. It, however, got rejected based on article 24 of the Japanese Constitution.
SWASH (Sex Work and Sexual Health) – Gaymakimaki, Yukiko KANAME, and Lily TAIGA
SWASH, a group aiming to improve the health and safety of sex workers, consists of women themselves working in the sex industry and their supporters. To learn more about SWASH, please go see their English website:
http://swashweb.sakura.ne.jp/node/12
Maki MURAKI (Nijiiro Diversity)/村木真紀
Nijiiro Diversity is Japan’s first non-profit organization for promoting LGBT equality in the workplace. Although it was formed just 2 years ago, its activities have already picked up momentum with a considerable track record in influencing Japan’s corporate dynamics. To learn more about their missions and activities, please go see their English website: http://www.nijiirodiversity.jp/english-home/about-us/


Junko MITSUHASHI/ 三橋順子
Daisuke ONUKI (Tokai University)/小貫大輔
It reads: "Life without kisses is like the earth without flowers... Once there was no flower on earth for there was not a bee nor a butterfly. I want to be a bee, I want to be a butterfly. The way how the green lands were in an instant covered by flowers of all colors, I want to bring kisses and hugs to my country."

HIROSHI HASEGAWA (Japanese Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS)/長谷川博史
"I would say… it was after learning about my HIV status that I finally and truly gained sexual freedom. With all my heart, considering the degree and extent of the seriousness, I kept thinking about sex and sexuality: What is sex anyway? That experience allowed me to accept the joy of sex, the fun, and even the loneliness and the risk that can come from it."


Kunio KITAMURA/ 北村邦夫
Dr. Kunio Kitamura's message for WSHD is "Happy Sex!" Why? You can read his interview with Antón Cu, the Chair of Youth Initiative WAS (World Association for Sexual Health) at the following link:http://www.sexualobserver.com/japan-less-in-interest-in-sex-and-lower-fertility-rates-a-talk-with-dr-kunio-kitamura.htm

