APLPJ’s Spring 2018 symposium, titled Chrysanthemum Rising: A Discussion on Sexuality & Civil Rights in Japan & Okinawa, was held on Saturday, March 3, 2018.
The one-day symposium was planned as a revisitation of a symposium held by APLPJ in 2012, titled Rainbow Rising: Gender, Solidarity, and Scholarship on Gender Identities and Sexualities in Asian and Oceanic Law & Policy. Rainbow Rising brought together leaders and advocates for LGBTIQ rights throughout Asia and the Pacific and started a dialogue on the issues facing this community throughout the region. Six years later, Chrysanthemum Rising continued that conversation with an opportunity to hear from lead advocates from Japan and Hawaii on the topic of equality for same-sex couples. The event served as a reminder of the significance that American jurisprudence and societal developments can have on our fellow democratic allies in the Asia Pacific region.
A recording of the event can be viewed here.
Event Schedule:
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Registration and Breakfast |
| 9:00 – 9:20 | Welcome and Introduction of Speakers Professor Mark Levin |
| 9:20 – 9:50 | Panel 1: Overview of LGBT Rights in Japan Introduction: Professor Yoshikazu Kimura Remarks: Yuiko Oyobe, Hiroki Shimizu, Momoko Iida, Hiromu Usami, Taisuke Sato, Honoka Toki, Kisa Takashima, Erina Kobe, Saki Nozue, Ayaka Kato, Saki Yamamoto |
| 9:50 – 10:10 | Question & Answer Session Moderator: Professor Yoshikazu Kimura |
| 10:10 – 10:30 | Group Pictures & Coffee Break |
| 10:30 – 11:10 | Panel 2: Recognition of Same-Sex Couples in Okinawa / Constitutional Issues Concerning Same-Sex Couples in Japan Introduction: Brandon Marc Higa Remarks: Professor Emi Yano, Professor Toru Enoki Presentation: “What is happening in Okinawa in the context of the respect for sexual diversity?” Emi Yano, University of Ryukyus |
| 11:10 – 11:30 | Question & Answer Session Moderator: Brandon Marc Higa |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Lunch |
| 12:30 – 1:10 | Speaker: The Campaign for Equal Legal Status of Same-Sex Couples in Japan Introduction: Professor Mark Levin Presentation: Professor Ken Suzuki Interpretation: Megumi Honami Presentation: 日本における同性カップルの法的保護の起動 |
| 1:10 – 1:30 | Question & Answer Session Moderator: Professor Mark Levin |
| 1:30 – 2:20 | Panel 3: LGBT Rights & Anti-Discrimination in the United States Panelists: Professor Linda Krieger, Professor Mandy Finlay, Andres Gonzalez Moderator: Justice Sabrina McKenna |
| 2:20 – 3:00 | Panel 4: Anti-Discrimination Movements and International Human Rights Panelists: Professor Carole J. Petersen, Professor Tae-Ung Baik Moderator: Jen Jenkins Presentation: “Applying International Human Rights Law to Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI),” Carole J. Petersen, William S. Richardson School of Law |
| 3:00 – 3:10 | Closing Remarks Alicia Fung |
The symposium was co-sponsored by: Student Activity and Program Fee Board; SEED Diversity & Equity Initiative, Lambda Law Student Association, HSBA International Law Section, Center for Japanese Studies, and the Pacific-Asian Legal Studies Program.