Japanese LGBTQ+ hospitals
Initiatives for a More Inclusive Healthcare System
A growing number of hospitals in Japan are implementing measures to create a more welcoming and understanding environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. These initiatives aim to ease their concerns and improve their access to healthcare in a society where discrimination—especially in the medical field—remains an issue.
For many LGBTQ+ people in Japan, revealing their sexual orientation and gender identity—a concept known as SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity)—is a significant psychological challenge. The fear of inappropriate remarks from healthcare professionals often discourages them from seeking medical care.
Seibo Hospital’s Commitment to Inclusivity
Seibo Hospital, located in the Shinjuku ward of Tokyo, has introduced several initiatives to reassure and support LGBTQ+ patients. The hospital distributes a brochure to new visitors outlining its commitment to maintaining a discrimination-free environment. Additionally, a rainbow flag is displayed at its general reception desk, the staff acknowledges the same-sex partnership system recognized in certain Japanese municipalities, and a dedicated consultation service is available.
Although this partnership system was first introduced in 2015 in Tokyo’s Shibuya and Setagaya wards before being adopted by other municipalities, it has yet to be recognized at the national level.
Tomomi Yamamoto, the head nurse at Seibo Hospital, stated that the facility adopted a SOGI manual in 2022 following the hospitalization of a transgender woman. This document emphasizes the importance of patient consent for treatments and surgeries while considering the concerns of same-sex partners.
Recognizing that each patient has unique needs, the hospital prioritizes a personalized approach. At the request of same-sex couples, the manual was updated to remove certain terms such as “father” and “mother,” which were deemed potentially exclusive.
“Our goal is to provide appropriate medical care to every patient rather than treating them as exceptions,” Yamamoto stated.
Ongoing Challenges for LGBTQ+ Individuals in the Healthcare System
A 2019 survey conducted by Professor Yasuharu Hidaka of Takarazuka University, involving 10,000 members of sexual minorities, revealed that 8.3% of respondents had avoided seeing a doctor due to fear of discrimination. This figure rose to 38.8% among transgender men and 51.2% among transgender women.
Some participants reported being outright refused medical treatment due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Others recounted discriminatory remarks made by doctors.
Hidaka emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and medical institutions for the mental well-being of patients. “Hospitals must evolve to eliminate people’s reluctance to seek medical care,” he stated. To address these issues, he published a book last year aimed at helping hospitals better understand sexual minority issues and improve their patient care.
Collaboration Among Hospitals to Strengthen Support
To better meet the needs of LGBTQ+ patients, several medical institutions are now working together. In 2023, Kochi Medical School Hospital in western Japan became the first university-affiliated public hospital to establish a dedicated support team for sexual minorities. This project was inspired by existing programs at Juntendo University Hospital in Tokyo.
Comprising around ten doctors and nurses who have previously cared for HIV-positive patients, the team identified a significant need for support among gay patients struggling to receive medical care. Their activities include organizing seminars for sexual minorities and distributing rainbow badges to participants.
Seisho Takeuchi, an associate professor at Kochi Medical School and the leader of this initiative, highlighted the hospital’s influence on other medical institutions in the region. “As a national university hospital, Kochi has considerable influence over other medical institutions in the prefecture,” he explained.
He also expressed his team’s intention to expand this initiative to other hospitals. “We will actively share information about our programs and collaborate with other institutions to strengthen support for sexual minorities,” he promised.
Thanks to the commitment of pioneering hospitals such as Seibo, Juntendo, and Kochi, Japan’s medical sector is gradually evolving toward a more respectful and inclusive approach to LGBTQ+ healthcare.
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