Japan's Supreme Court Strikes Down Mandatory Sterilization for Gender Change

Japan's top court has ruled that a legal requirement for people to undergo sterilisation surgery in order to legally change their gender is unconstitutional. The court's decision was welcomed by rights groups, but disappointment was expressed over the postponement of a decision on another clause requiring genital organs to resemble those of the opposite gender. The ruling comes amidst heightened awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in Japan, with activists pushing for an anti-discrimination law.