Rainbow Flags Fly in Tokyo Streets: Taiwan Participates for 6th Time, Showcasing Achievements in Equality

(Central News Agency, Tokyo, June 7, Special Correspondent Dai Ya-zhen) Tokyo Pride, Japan's largest LGBTQ+ event, held a parade in Shibuya on the 7th, with organizers reporting approximately 15,000 participants. Taiwan joined for the 6th time, marching under light rain along a 2-kilometer route from Shibuya Station to Omotesando, holding rainbow flags symbolizing diversity and inclusion, led by a float.

This year's event, themed "Diversity and Equality Open the Future," attracted over 200 government representatives, corporations, and civil society groups from around the world.

Taiwan formed "TEAM TAIWAN" jointly with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, the Taiwan Red Ribbon Foundation, and the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR). They held Taiwanese flags in the parade and at their booth area, showcasing Taiwan's achievements in promoting gender equality and diverse inclusion to the international community.

Representative Li Yi-yang, participating in Tokyo Pride for the second time, was invited to speak on the main stage alongside diplomats including British Ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom. He was the only representative from an Asian country to address the stage.

In his speech, Li noted that Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019, stating, "This is not just a legal change; it represents the progress of Taiwanese society as a whole." He highlighted that according to OECD gender-related rankings, Taiwan ranks 1st in Asia and 6th globally, making it an important model for gender equality and human rights development in Asia.

Li described Taiwan as a society with diverse ethnicities, cultures, and values, where people learn to understand each other's differences through long-term dialogue and exchange, allowing people from different backgrounds to live together. He expressed support and solidarity to participants from Japan and around the world, inviting everyone to visit Taiwan and experience its diverse, vibrant, and warm human environment.

In an interview, Li noted that while Taiwan's international visibility and recognition have been increasing, the forces suppressing Taiwan are also significant. He mentioned that Taiwan is sometimes still required to participate in international activities under the name "Chinese Taipei." He expressed pride and affirmation that Taiwan could participate under its own name in an important event like Tokyo Pride, allowing the world to see Taiwan.

During the parade, Li joined Taiwan Red Ribbon Foundation Chairman Tu Hsiao-cheng, TAPCPR Secretary-General Chien Chih-chieh, and supporters from various regions to show support for gender equality. Chi Chia-wei, a pioneer of Taiwan's gay rights movement, appeared with a national flag, and influencer "Four Fork Cat" also crossed the sea to participate.

For the 6th time exhibiting, the Taiwan Red Ribbon Foundation and TAPCPR themed their booth "Temples and Night Markets." They reinterpreted traditional Taiwanese temple zodiac fortune charts from a gender equality perspective, incorporating key historical events in Taiwan's gender rights advancement to create a unique "Taiwan Gender Equality Timeline Fortune Slip," attracting many visitors to interact through drawing lots.

Additionally, the Taiwan booth promoted tourism to international visitors, introducing gender-friendly accommodations planned by the Kaohsiung City Government and distributing special souvenirs incorporating Hakka floral fabric elements, showcasing Taiwan's image of diverse culture and tourism appeal.

Lin Yin-han, Deputy Secretary-General of the Red Ribbon Foundation, said in an interview that Japan is often considered a very progressive country, and through participation, they found Japanese society generally shows a friendly attitude towards gender equality and diverse gender issues. As the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, Taiwan hopes to continue bringing the ideals of equality, diversity, and inclusion to Japan, and through exchange and dialogue, jointly promote the development of gender equality in Asia. (Editor: Chen Huei-ping) 1150607