Gay man from Gap hired to head Shibuya’s LGBT programs

[yuiyoshida]

Ryutaro Nagata, head of the Shibuya Ward government’s section to promote gender equality and diversity (Kenji Tsuji)

Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, known as a front-runner in LGBT-friendly programs, has added a powerful weapon to further the equality agenda: Ryutaro Nagata.

Nagata, 41, who is gay, began a three-year stint last month as head of the ward government’s section to promote gender equality and diversity after a previous career at the Japanese unit of the U.S. casual clothing chain Gap Inc.

“I am determined to offer a public service aimed to meet the needs of diverse residents in the ward from the viewpoint of a sexual minority,” said Nagata, who is from Fukuoka Prefecture.

Last November, the Shibuya Ward government became one of the first local governments in the nation to issue certificates recognizing same-sex partnerships. That allows gay couples to move into family units of ward-run apartment buildings and the right to sign up for housing as couples, have family-only hospital visits, sign surgery agreements and be recognized as a recipient of insurance benefits.

At Gap, he had openly identified himself as gay. And being homosexual and admitting it was nothing unusual at the workplace as there were sexual minorities among his colleagues and superiors.

more...
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201610030043.html

[Divine Discontent]

1. Much needed push for civil rights for LGBT there

He seems quite capable...

Great country but behind on equality due to some social norms getting in the way.