Current Affairs

Photos: LGBT people march for ‘Love and Equality’ at Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2018

May 06 2018
Written by Nick Duffy

TOKYO, JAPAN – MAY 06: Two couples in wedding attire take part in the Tokyo Rainbow Pride Parade on May 6, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. The LGBT community and supporters marched down Shibuya and Harajuku areas on the final day of the Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2018 event. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

Thousands of LGBT people took part in the annual Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo on Sunday (May 6).

Japan is one of the most liberal countries in Asia on LGBT rights, with polling showing majority support for same-sex marriage.

However, the country’s legislation provides little protections for LGBT people – there is no nationwide recognition for same-sex relationships and no nationwide anti-discrimination law, with gay people reliant on a patchwork of regional laws in cities for recognition of their relationships.

Thousands of marchers called for change took to the streets of Tokyo for the annual parade.

Attendees take part in the Tokyo Rainbow Pride Parade (Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

The theme for the event was “Love & Equality”.

Organisers explained: “Everyone is equal in love. We seek no special rights, but the same thing, the same way. The freedom to love. That basic freedom is what we want to achieve.”

Attendees wave flags as they depart for the Tokyo Rainbow Pride Parade (Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

The LGBT activists and supporters marched through the Shibuya and Harajuku areas of downtown Tokyo.

Check out the photos below:

(Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

(Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

An attendee holds a bouquet as she lies in a coffin in the Coffin Experience booth during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride Parade (Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)