Supporting LGBTQI+ communities in Ireland and Japan
The promotion of the rights of LGBTQI+ persons is a domestic and foreign policy priority for Ireland. We continue to support initiatives condemning violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and promoting the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in international fora.
Over the last three decades, Ireland has progressively introduced rights and protections for LGBTQI+ persons.
In May 2015, Ireland became the first country in the world to endorse marriage equality through a popular vote. Ireland’s Marriage Equality referendum gave a strong signal to the world of Ireland’s commitment to welcoming and promoting equality. This journey at home has gone hand in hand with our prioritisation of LGBTQI+ rights in our foreign policy.
Queer Pride in Tokyo
Our diplomatic network actively supports LGBTQI+ rights by participating in Pride parades and events across the world and offering support to LGBTQI+ civil society organisations. Embassy of Ireland Tokyo supports annual Pride festivals in Japan, such as Tokyo Rainbow Pride, Pride Cruise Osaka, Sapporo Rainbow Pride and Kyushu Rainbow Pride.
In March 2024, Minister Roderic O’Gorman, Ireland’s Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, visited Pride House Tokyo Legacy, which is Japan’s first permanent LGBTQI+ support centre.
Commenting on the collaboration with Embassies, Ms Yuri Igarashi, Chairperson of Pride House Tokyo, says:
“Collaboration with embassies in Japan is a powerful force in advancing LGBTQ+ support within Japan, sharing international perspectives and values. We believe that by learning from progressive nations and walking alongside them, we can move closer to realising a society where diversity is respected.”
Pride in practice
Ireland strongly supports efforts at the UN Human Rights Council to address LGBTQI+ issues, including the landmark resolution on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) in 2011. In 2021, Ireland joined the UN LGBTI Core Group, to work on ensuring universal respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
In November 2019, Ireland launched its first National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy, which contains over 100 actions across government aimed at promoting inclusion, protecting rights and improving the quality of life and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ people.
In 2025, Ireland marked the ten-year anniversaries of the Marriage Equality Referendum and the passing of the Gender Recognition Act.
Without respecting the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, the universal nature of human rights cannot be fulfilled.
Every person, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic, is entitled to equality, dignity and the full enjoyment of their human rights.
At the Embassy of Ireland in Tokyo, we are keen to work with all our partners in Japan to reach this universal human rights goal.