Fuji TV announces Japan-first lesbian drama, but attracts criticism for ‘outdated’ portrayal

by Andrew McKirdy

Staff Writer

Fuji Television has announced a drama series featuring a lesbian love story as its central theme — a first for Japan.

But a prominent lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activist has slammed the show’s promotional material for portraying an “out-of-date” image of same-sex couples.

“Transit Girls,” which is set to debut on Nov. 7, tells the story of two girls, aged 18 and 21, who become stepsisters when their parents remarry. The girls, played by actresses Sairi Ito and Yui Sakuma, clash at first but then fall in love.

A promotional photo for the eight-part series features the two lead actresses lying in bed together, apparently naked, looking into each other’s eyes and smiling.

But Maki Muraki, the leader of nonprofit organization Nijiiro Diversity, which promotes workplace equality for LGBT people in Japan, believes the show is sending out the wrong message.

“Having two girls lying naked on a white sheet and using words like ‘forbidden’ is a little out of date, I think,” Muraki told The Japan Times on Thursday.

“The things we do are not about sex. We face a lot of difficulties in our life, for example in the workplace. To be told that the image of us is one of sex doesn’t make me happy.”

Fuji TV describes the show as “a heartwarming straightforward love story, but the main characters are both girls.”

It says it is the nation’s first ever drama dealing with the theme of “girls’ love.”

But Muraki believes Japan still lagged far behind other countries when portraying LGBT issues.

“It’s new for Japan, but America has had programs dealing with these issues since around 2006,” she said. “This isn’t something new.

“In America they have programs like ‘Modern Family,’ where it’s taken for granted that LGBT people bring up children. Rather than being sexual, it shows LGBT people in their everyday lives and that’s a positive force. If it’s just about sex, I can’t think of that as positive.”

The new show comes in a landmark year for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in Japan.

In March, Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward became the first locale in Japan to recognize same-sex partnerships as the equivalent of marriage.

Setagaya Ward then announced in July that it plans to follow suit by issuing certificates recognizing same-sex partnerships as early as November.

New Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Hiroshi Hase also said earlier this month that he plans to promote support for sexual-minority students in schools.

skillet

Of course, they will make lesbianism glamorous and trendy. Too bad they cannot have a drama about how uplifting it is to have a healthy nuclear family with lots of kids. And no need to import a labor force.

Japan needs a sort of neo–masculinity drama where rugged folks challnge the elements. That nurtures healthy instincts in men. Higher testosterone. Self-respect.

Could get the kikkikomori out talking to the ladies, rolling up their sleeves and being productive much better.

This drama is perfect for a dying civilization and culture.

So have all the ladies be pushy and lesbian, all the men polish their toe-nails and spend hours on their hairstyles.. Until the day where the economy is in shambles and Japan is invaded by China.

A country nees healthy male and female relations. This drama is not the blueprint.
- James
  
  Right, because the rise and fall of civilizations rests on the shoulders of TV dramas, which are the cause of, and solution to, every problem. You are a moron.
- etchasketch
  
  You are certainly the voice of reason.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    My Spidey-sense is telling me there are at least three sock puppets in the mix here. Skillet, meet Skillet two and Skillet three.
  - skillet
    
    Don’t worry. You’ll be okay. YOur faculties will return to noramal. Just stay away from those Angela Marcotte and Gloria Steinem hallucinogens and your eyes will stop playing tricks on you.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    My Spidey-sense is telling me there are at least three sock puppets in the mix here. Skillet, meet Skillet two and Skillet three.
  - skillet
    
    Indeed I am. But look our for Blonde’s ‘spidey sense’. Looks like she’s going off the deep-end again.
- R0ninX3ph
  
  Yes, because if people see it on TV, they will suddenly become gay. That’s how sexuality works right?
  
  Tell me, which TV show did you watch that made you straight?
  - skillet
    
    Heterosexuality is the proper genetic program. Social justice warriors are so overcome with hatred for healthy DNA they are trying to use feminism. LGBT, robotics, GMO’s, transgenderism and a celebration of general deviancy and everything else to override the divine blueprint of Creation.
    
    It is natural that the programming has some flaws and a limited number of gays appear. It is even healthy.
    
    However, it is a perversion to promote the DNA override. I am all about celebrating God and Nature and following Natural Law.
  - R0ninX3ph
    
    There we go. The religious right trying to push their views on everyone else once again.
    
    You’re free to hate homosexuality if you so wish, but you don’t get to tell people what they get to do with their “free will” that your supposed “God” gave them.
    
    There is quite a lot of evidence of homosexuality throughout the animal kingdom, humans, are just animals after all.
    
    So, I assume that you never wear clothing of two different fabrics? That’s just as bad in the bible as homosexuality.
  - skillet
    
    I would say the LGBT, radfem messages get forced on people much more through the media and even academia than any conservative messages. IT is the left wing views that get forced on people much more than the right.
    
    They also get the Fortune 500 corporate money. Because our social programmers know that the best environment to perpetuate a culture of independent minded people who can resist cultural programming is the nuclear and even the extended family.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    And 911 was an inside job, the Earth is flat, and chemtrails are Obama’s secret plan to help Xnenu to take over the planet. Muhahaha~!!! ;)
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    And 911 was an inside job, the Earth is flat, and chemtrails are Obama’s secret plan to help Xnenu to take over the planet. Muhahaha~!!! ;)
  - JusenkyoGuide
    
    Dude, don’t bother. While there is a chance that skillet is a Poe, he reeks of eu’de troll.
  - R0ninX3ph
    
    He might be a troll, but on the off chance he isn’t, I wanted to point out the hypocrisy that the religious right likes to ignore.
    
    Following parts of the bible but then ignoring the inconvenient parts that actually affect themselves, is just so common with religious conservatives. Well, conservatives in general are often quite hypocritical.
  - R0ninX3ph
    
    He might be a troll, but on the off chance he isn’t, I wanted to point out the hypocrisy that the religious right likes to ignore.
    
    Following parts of the bible but then ignoring the inconvenient parts that actually affect themselves, is just so common with religious conservatives. Well, conservatives in general are often quite hypocritical.
  - Jake
    
    I love it how anti-religious folks always assume Christianity when somebody mentions God or divine creation. Not to throw a wrench in your assumption, but theism does not equal Christianity. So your points about the bible or quoting scripture don’t really apply.
  - R0ninX3ph
    
    You’re right, I shouldn’t assume Christianity, but the vast majority of crap flung at the LGBT community from the religious right talking about “God” and “perversion” is from Christians.
    
    Yes, not all Christians think like that, but again, that would make them not the “religious right”, it makes them religious, and I specified the religious right.
  - Resa Bennett
    
    When did he mention God? His comments aren’t remotely close to what someone who’s anti-homosexuality on Christian grounds would say.
  - R0ninX3ph
    
    It was in the deleted comment. I used to be in the habit of actually copying and pasting things I reply to, for the inevitable deletion… I didn’t do it this time, and now it just doesn’t make sense.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    He’s not a troll, exactly. He believes what he’s saying, and argues very sincerely……if utterly and completely ignoring both logic and scientific evidence.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    How does this DNA override work, scientifically? You seem quite concerned about using appropriate terminology, so would you mind teaching us the proper scientific term for “DNA override”? ;)
    
    (I think we should call it the “Teletubby Effect”)
  - skillet
    
    I would explain it. But the left shuts down free speech. Just look up at the comment you responded to.
    
    Now you see it, now you don’t !
    
    My comment obviously “triggered” the entitled “special snowflake” sensibilities of some leftist SJW who thinks everybody who disagrees with them should be silenced. So the planet can be their thumb sucking “safe space”.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    Free speech doesn’t mean you get to force people to listen to you.
    
    Rest assured that his and your and everyone else’s right to free speech as defined by law is perfectly intact.
    
    If it weren’t, you’d be arrested instead of just having your comments deleted..
- Nicole
  
  Lol. Stop working overtime. Stand up to your superiors and tell them they can go doodle the night away by themselves with their sake. Stop giving in to peer and corporate culture. Grow a spine. Save your nights for family. Marry young. Make more children with your wife so you don’t raise spoiled single children: boys with no sense of personal responsibility and girls who think they deserve it all. Tell your government that you have had enough of work and that working too much prevents you from fathering more children or your wife from wanting more. Communicate with your wife regarding her and your sexual needs. This is what you need to improve your society. Work less, make more babies. Vote for politicians who have family friendly policies. Simple.
- blondein_tokyo
  
  “A drama about how uplifting it is to have a nuclear family with lots of kids” describes about 90% of the “family drama” category.
  
  And honestly, it’s a pretty slippery slope from giving lesbians accurate portrayal in the media to Japan getting invaded by China.
  
  That line just cracked me up!! I seriously cannot stop laughing. I just snorted oolong tea out my nose. That’s the best thing I’ve heard all month. This is definitely getting screen capped and put on Facebook. :)
Nicole

Ms. Muraki: Watch the show first before offering an opinion based on superficial assumptions. Stop whining. Stop resorting to strawmen fallacies: Japan is not America. Very different cultures. Try to see this as something positive and a step in the right direction. Stop whining.
- blondein_tokyo
  
  A question. Should sexual minorities grit their teeth and stay silent when we see inaccurate portrayals of our lives being presented as accurate? Or should we point out the inaccuracies and ask that they be corrected, so that the people watching can be educated and gain a better, more accurate understanding?
  
  Also, do you think that sexual minorities in Japan are just as deserving of the same respect and equal rights by their government as their American counterparts?
  
  If yes, then what’s your suggestion for them to gain these rights, if not by agitatating for them and educating society on the issues?
  
  If no, then why not?
  - Resa Bennett
    
    All your comments are predicated on the assumption that the portrayal is inaccurate. Not everyone assumes the same as you.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    I don’t have to assume that the portrayal is inaccurate. The promotional material makes it clear that it is.
  - Resa Bennett
    
    How?
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    If the promotional material is representative of how the characters will be portrayed, then it won’t be an accurate account of what lesbian relationships are like, because lesbian relationships aren’t about sex.
    
    Additionally, using the word “forbidden” intimates that the women believe that their relationship is wrong, which isn’t an accurate portrayal of how lesbians feel about being lesbian.
    
    You also don’t just “fall” into a lesbian relationship the way the story blurb seems to imply these girls
    
    There is so much ick here that I really just don’t even know where to start.
  - Resa Bennett
    
    All right, thanks for explaining your POV. I see why you’re concerned, but if you like me are going off the info in the article, it might not be what you think. (Romances usually involve sex, forbidden could refer to being stepsisters or to society’s homophobia, and internalized homophobia is real for a lot of people.)
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    Romances involve more than just sex. The promotional materials for romantic dramas typically show the couples engaged in all kinds of activities, but only dramas with a focus on the sexual side use materials like these. If they were portrayed holding hands, or taking a walk, or even just hugging, I’d have more faith. This looks like Fuji TV thought they could get more viewers if they sexed it up instead of, for example, focusing on the love aspect.
    
    Internalised homophobia is definitely a thing, but this isn’t representative of how we’d approach the issue, particularly not with this sexualised imagery.
    
    I’d love to see a drama that approached the topic of with sensitivity and compassion, but this promotional material makes it look like that won’t be the case.
    
    If the promoters were even the slightest bit cognisant of the issues lesbians face, they wouldn’t sexualise them in this way. One of the biggest problems we have is getting people to *stop* thinking “omg sex” whenever they see a lesbian couple.
    
    The people who made this are either utterly ignorant or else don’t care that lesbians are bloody tired of having our relationships perved on.
  - Resa Bennett
    
    We’ll have to agree to disagree on the promo materials – to me, the jury’s still out.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    Fair enough. :)
    
    I’d be interested in re-visiting this topic with you later, after the drama has begun.
  - Resa Bennett
    
    Thanks for the conversation. :) Don’t get me wrong, I know there have been a million examples of the kind of dehumanized trashy objectification you’re understandably afraid of – but I think it’s possible for even an unrealistic sexy drama to avoid that if they want to.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    Romances involve more than just sex. The promotional materials for romantic dramas typically show the couples engaged in all kinds of activities, but only dramas with a focus on the sexual side use materials like these. If they were portrayed holding hands, or taking a walk, or even just hugging, I’d have more faith. This looks like Fuji TV thought they could get more viewers if they sexed it up instead of, for example, focusing on the love aspect.
    
    Internalised homophobia is definitely a thing, but this isn’t representative of how we’d approach the issue, particularly not with this sexualised imagery.
    
    I’d love to see a drama that approached the topic of with sensitivity and compassion, but this promotional material makes it look like that won’t be the case.
    
    If the promoters were even the slightest bit cognisant of the issues lesbians face, they wouldn’t sexualise them in this way. One of the biggest problems we have is getting people to *stop* thinking “omg sex” whenever they see a lesbian couple.
    
    The people who made this are either utterly ignorant or else don’t care that lesbians are bloody tired of having our relationships perved on.
  - EroBotan
    
    this is the problem with 1st world feminists, they never watch/read the source material that they criticize.
    
    That’s why 1st world feminst is a joke
  - EroBotan
    
    this is the problem with 1st world feminists, they never watch/read the source material that they criticize.
    
    That’s why 1st world feminst is a joke
  - EroBotan
    
    this is the problem with 1st world feminists, they never watch/read the source material that they criticize.
    
    That’s why 1st world feminst is a joke
La Lunatica

You have to start somewhere, you can’t go from almost no representation to flawless portrayals overnight. And if she really is so aware of American television, then she should know how to recognize when something is being sexualised and marketed as such. I find the image cute, sweet and tasteful. Maybe you’re the one with a problem if you can’t tell the difference between a romantic image and a sexual one.
- blondein_tokyo
  
  Actually, yes, you can get accurate portrayals overnight. Do you know how? By 1) asking actual lesbians about their lives and using that information; 2) asking an actual lesbian couple to write, star in, direct, or produce the show.
  
  The Gay and Lesbian film festival every year has numerous examples of how GLBT lives can be accurately portrayed. I find it quite odd that no one thought to ask them how they did it before declaring it can’t be done.
  - EroBotan
    
    people who never create anything tend to things that making TV, video games, comics, etc are easy lol
    
    1st world feminist never create anything, all they do is complaining
  - EroBotan
    
    lolololol, if you believe that you can get accurate portarayals overnight then you obviously never create anything before!! What you do with your live lol? complaining about patriarchry? get a live!
  - EroBotan
    
    lolololol, if you believe that you can get accurate portarayals overnight then you obviously never create anything before!! What you do with your live lol? complaining about patriarchry? get a live!
  - La Lunatica
    
    You’re crazy or willfully ignorant if you think a country just barley starting to recognize the LGBT community is going to greenlight a TV show about Lesbians that’s 100% accurate. Even the L Word took plenty of liberties. And who are you to say that there no Step-Sisters who have fallen in love?
    
    And you actually have to know how to write, direct, or produce a show. Being a Lesbian is not enough of a qualification, sorry.
    
    The mainstream audience this show is aimed towards do not go to or pay attention to the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, so they will not be receptive to that content. And let’s be honest, a large amount of those films are low budget and poorly scripted, written, and acted.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    You seem to be saying that it is unreasonable to criticize the writers of this show for not doing their research, and that it’s not problematic that they aren’t brave enough to portray lesbian relationships honestly and accurately. To me, this says you think GLBT should sit back and stay quiet instead of advocating for ourselves.
    
    I also did not say that there are no step-sisters who have fallen in love. I said lesbians don’t suddenly just fall into being lesbian. It’s not something you suddenly “discover” about yourself one day out of the blue, the way this makes it seem.
    
    One thing you are right about is that Japan isn’t ready for an honest and accurate portrayal of GBLT relationships.This show is proof positive of that. There’s still too much discrimination and prejudice. Hopefully though, that will change. Things have gotten much better in the past few years, and will continue to IF we continue critisizing and pointing out these types of inaccuracies.
  - La Lunatica
    
    Criticize the writers when the show actually airs and there is actual proof they did something wrong. Right now, you are flying off the handle based on the premise alone.
    
    Again you haven’t seen the show yet, how do you know these women haven’t been struggling with their sexuality before they meet? Maybe like many Lesbians they had a strict upbringing and repressed their feelings, or tried dating men to please their families. Maybe they’ve been extremely sheltered. There are many late in life Lesbians who have their “Aha” moment
    
    There isn’t one Lesbian experience that fits all. Give me an example of a honest and accurate portrayal of a Lesbian relationship for this show that would satisfy you.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    It is perfectly reasonable to criticize the promotional materials and the way the show is being advertised before the show comes out. Even if the show itself turns out to be good, the point still stands that they are doing a very poor job of handling promotion.
    
    I also didn’t make the claim that there is “one fits all” lesbian experience. I am simply pointing out that this portrayal seems to be falling back on using the same old stereotypes.
    
    If I could write the promotional material, I’d have them be fully conscious of their sexuality, meet at work or though friends, date, and then fall in love – just like heterosexuals do. I’d also use pictures of them walking hand in hand in the park, or show them both in suits sitting at their desks at the office making eyes at each other. That would be totally sweet and very, very typical. :)
    
    Can you understand how insulting it is to have your relationship hyper-sexualized..?
  - La Lunatica
    
    You’re crazy or willfully ignorant if you think a country just barley starting to recognize the LGBT community is going to greenlight a TV show about Lesbians that’s 100% accurate. Even the L Word took plenty of liberties. And who are you to say that there no Step-Sisters who have fallen in love?
    
    And you actually have to know how to write, direct, or produce a show. Being a Lesbian is not enough of a qualification, sorry.
    
    The mainstream audience this show is aimed towards do not go to or pay attention to the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, so they will not be receptive to that content. And let’s be honest, a large amount of those films are low budget and poorly scripted, written, and acted.
Don Corleone

I think they’re cute.
Ezzie

At least they’re taking a shot. We need to remember this is all still new to them – we can’t shoot them immediately just because of a mis-portrayal. But then again, nothing can happen without at least SOMEONE getting offended.
- blondein_tokyo
  
  Let’s say an actress portrayed you and your life in a movie, and got pretty much all of it wrong. Would you be okay with that, or would you get angry?
  
  Further, what if people tried to de-legitimise your anger by dismissing it as you “just being offended?”
  - EroBotan
    
    most people will get annoyed or angry for 1-3 days then move on & watch other movies lololol.
    
    fanboys will get angry longer, maybe 1-3 weeks?
    
    1st world feminist always angry lolol, just ignore them
  - Resa Bennett
    
    Anger is one thing, going “it would be better not to be portrayed at all” is another. If the actress’s portrayal of her tried to be accurate and got a few details wrong because the writers aren’t perfect, or if the project was a satire/wish fulfillment/allegory/whatever and not a biopic in the first place, then I don’t think she should be slamming the entire project for inaccuracy.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    That doesn’t answer my questions though, does it? Would you be angry if someone portrayed your life in a way that was inaccurate? And if they dismissed and trivialized your concerns because it was “mostly right” would it or would it not be upsetting?
    
    There are discussions going on about this show in 2cho right now, and none of them are positive. We are tired of having our relationships perved on by straight people. It’s gross.
  - Resa Bennett
    
    I might be angry or upset, depending on the situation. But I don’t think Ezzie was talking feelings, but the specific criticisms quoted in this article.
EroBotan

be careful when following american example .. behind their LGBT movement there is this man-hating 1st world feminism who complaint about comics, video games, air conditioning, & other tons of non-issue stuff.

they also hate freedom of speech and want to silence everything.
- blondein_tokyo
  
  Complaining about sexism isn’t analogous to hating men. For one thing, a lot of sexism is perpetrated by women. For another, men are 50% of the human race. If all feminists hated men as you claim then they’d have a very hard time maintaining relationships with family, friends, bosses, neighbors, waitstaff….well, pretty much everyone. The truth of it is, feminists hate *misogyny*.
  
  As for hating freedom of speech, that’s an odd statement considering that it’s freedom of speech rights that helped GLBT gain marriage equality in the first place. I suspect you’re one of those people who thinks freedom of speech means “no one is allowed to disagree with me”.
  
  In which case I suppose I ought to apologise right now for violating your freedom of speech, because I think you’re totally full of s****.
  - EroBotan
    
    if they’re not hating men why these phrase are so popular with them? “I drink male tears”, “kill all men”, “if you’re a men than your opinion doesn’t matter”, bla bla bla
    
    this result in decline of birthrate, men become less & less interested in marriage & red pill movement become more popular.
    
    have you not read the news? feminist wants to censor internet with UN help, basically silencing everyone who makes them feel offended, see cyberviolence hashtag on twitter.
    
    and you ended your sentence with insult, typical of 1st world feminist lololol
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    By George, you’ve hit the nail on the head!! How could I not have seen it before??? I must not have been wearing my tinfoil hat….;)
  - EroBotan
    
    you can’t argue back & decided to resort to insult, so typical of 1st world feminist lololol
    
    all foul mouth with no brain
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    When you’re right, you’re right!
  - EroBotan
    
    idiot will always be idiot i guess
  - Resa Bennett
    
    Every person in this thread is stupid. Including me, as I read it.
  - EroBotan
    
    nobody can cure 1st world feminist’ stupidity lol
  - EroBotan
    
    nobody can cure 1st world feminist’ stupidity lol
- blondein_tokyo
  
  Complaining about sexism isn’t analogous to hating men. For one thing, a lot of sexism is perpetrated by women. For another, men are 50% of the human race. If all feminists hated men as you claim then they’d have a very hard time maintaining relationships with family, friends, bosses, neighbors, waitstaff….well, pretty much everyone. The truth of it is, feminists hate *misogyny*.
  
  As for hating freedom of speech, that’s an odd statement considering that it’s freedom of speech rights that helped GLBT gain marriage equality in the first place. I suspect you’re one of those people who thinks freedom of speech means “no one is allowed to disagree with me”.
  
  In which case I suppose I ought to apologise right now for violating your freedom of speech, because I think you’re totally full of s****.
- Sungel
  
  lol. the previous hater comments have some truth. but once you see a comment thats talking about man-hating feminists, you know that commenter is just a troll xDD
  - EroBotan
    
    judging by the comment which has no arguement at all & only consist of insult, it seems we have another typical braindead 1st world feminist here,
  - EroBotan
    
    you try so hard to deny reality lol, go back to your safe space room!
- Sungel
  
  lol. the previous hater comments have some truth. but once you see a comment thats talking about man-hating feminists, you know that commenter is just a troll xDD
YONG

The media industry in Japan are merely driven by Greed! I don’t believe anyone should prejudice against people that are homosexual, neither should we promote it. People should respect other choice, at the end each of us have to answer to our maker, no one is in position to judge others. However for a TV station to monetize a sensitive issue merely show their greed for money and fame.
Furthermore, even US, whereby driven by revenue, show much greater social responsibility then trying to take advantage of such sensitive issue!
skillet

My son is a fine specimen of human DNA. He is on an honors scholarship in Japan.
- skillet
  
  He can also do pull-ups with one arm.
- R0ninX3ph
  
  I didn’t say anything about his intelligence, I said that I hope any children you have aren’t gay or transgendered, because I would feel sorry for them to have such a closed minded individual as a parent. But, congratulations on your son being on an honors scholarship, thats great.
  
  I hope he is enjoying his time in Japan.
  - skillet
    
    I would say you are narrow minded as to the reasons that people oppose PC. And its one dimensional characterization of straight men. It is possible to oppose the feminist and LGBT lobby and their hi-jacking of culture without being against gays or women. The best man at my wedding was gay. As for feminism, I have been totally patient over the years as my wife preferred to put her career first at certain points and be a housewife at others. She has put up with things also, but I have been a paragon of virtue when it came to sucking it up for her choices.
    
    I never had a choice. As a dude,I had one choice. Work and provide. I do not resent that fact. We both did what we needed to do. However, I do resent all the denigration of heterosexual men by the left. Especially as I have always played by the feminist rules in my own life.
    
    Cooking and doing most of the housework for a few years while she also worked. Adapting and working a second job to be the sole breadwinner at others when she preferred to be home. This is a common pattern for men of my generation. Being patient so women can have choices.
    
    But that is not the problem.
    
    I am thrilled with the person I married and our 25 years together. It is the Western cultural portrayal of men as selfish oprressors of women that I resent. It is the resentment of one who has done what my generation of feminsists preached, only to find that 20 years later I was still seen as scum for being male. My cynicism is that of the one who has always tried to do the right thing.
    
    I do not hate gays or women. I hate the left because of its SJW propaganda. And I would say that my resentment is stronger because I have always tried and lived my life as an example of what feminists preached. At least, I used to.
    
    It is precisely because as a young man I foolishly believed feminists that I hate them now. Maybe not as individual people, but certainly their ideology.
    
    I now realize after following the feminst movement over the years that these movements are about power, hate and demonization of straight men.
    
    It is time people woke up.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    Be patient so your wife could work? That wording seems to imply that this was a sacrifice on your part. Do you see yourself as especially deserving of praise because you did half the housework and, I assume, half the child raising? I’m just wondering whether you see this as something you did because you were doing your wife a favor, or if you did it because you’re an adult and that’s what adults do.
    
    I mean, I do all the housework and work full time, but I don’t see that as anything special. It’s just life.
    
    I also understand why you feel attacked when feminists talk of the patriarchy. You think it includes you. But one thing you should consider is your own attitude towards your role as husband and parent. Women never think of caring for their family as a sacrifice or as a favor they do for their spouse. Do you? This is an honest question.
    
    When a woman can walk into a boardroom and get the same respect as a man, and when men do housework and don’t think of it as a chore they do for their wives, and yes- when women stop laughing at men who “try so hard to help, what a dear,” with a condescending attitude, then we might feel men and women are equals in society.
  - skillet
    
    You cannot do something for 25 years and keep on unless your heart is in the right place. My mettle has been tested. I have made it work. Have you managed 25 years with anybody ? I’d be surprised if you do, male or female.
    
    But I can read. Huffpo, Mother Jones, Alternet, Raw Story all deomonize the straight white male. SJW’s will never be satisfied until men have their noses totally rubbed in the mud. Look at Sweden. They don’t even want to allow men to stand and pee any more. (They have actually made what men do in the men’s room a feminist issue. Imagine if men’s groups poked their noses in the lady’s room to criticize the goings on there !!! And let’s not get into “manspreading”. The final feminist gloat will be when men sit and crush their nuts out of fear of a fine imposed by the feminazi cultue. I speak of the NY subway. No signs about ladies with shopping bags though.)
    
    Feminists more and more behave like shrieking babies when they don’t get their way and bullies when in power. The more they get what they want, the more angry and dissastisfied they become.
    It is more and more a movement of bullying harpies. No wonder even Meryl Streep does not want to associate herself with feminism.
    
    But as we are seeing now, the left in its entirely will implode. Look at Sweden and Germany. There is such hatred for Christianity and traditional culture that the left cannot see its own masochistic impulses. For while they loathe anything traditional or Christian, they have no qualms about supporting a wave of immigration that will leave them in burkas. Crosses are being removed from chruches and women are being told not to wear short skirts to avoid offending Muslims.Imagine the outrage if a Western Christian criticised short skirts as “slutty” ! Stockholm is now the rape capital of the world. And it is not Swedish men. They are bringing ISIS to their country ! Feminist groups are silent because feminism is a cultural marxist movement that is not about helping women.
    
    The feminists there hate their own culture so much they are willing to suck it up and refrain from denouncing the rapes by Muslim immigrants. But not to worry.
    
    The feminist and leftist hatred of Western culture will leave them in a hijab. Leftist utopias collapse under their own hypocrisy. And I also noticed when living in Japan that leftists in general resented it when Japanese were pro-Japanese and did not wish to run their own culture into the ground as Western leftists do.
    
    Every county needs to protect itself from the left-wing if it is to have a viable culture.
  - blondein_tokyo
    
    Be patient so your wife could work? That wording seems to imply that this was a sacrifice on your part. Do you see yourself as especially deserving of praise because you did half the housework and, I assume, half the child raising? I’m just wondering whether you see this as something you did because you were doing your wife a favor, or if you did it because you’re an adult and that’s what adults do.
    
    I mean, I do all the housework and work full time, but I don’t see that as anything special. It’s just life.
    
    I also understand why you feel attacked when feminists talk of the patriarchy. You think it includes you. But one thing you should consider is your own attitude towards your role as husband and parent. Women never think of caring for their family as a sacrifice or as a favor they do for their spouse. Do you? This is an honest question.
    
    When a woman can walk into a boardroom and get the same respect as a man, and when men do housework and don’t think of it as a chore they do for their wives, and yes- when women stop laughing at men who “try so hard to help, what a dear,” with a condescending attitude, then we might feel men and women are equals in society.
- R0ninX3ph
  
  I didn’t say anything about his intelligence, I said that I hope any children you have aren’t gay or transgendered, because I would feel sorry for them to have such a closed minded individual as a parent. But, congratulations on your son being on an honors scholarship, thats great.
  
  I hope he is enjoying his time in Japan.
AntiDem

Oh FFS – is there not one corner of the earth that can remain non-pozzed? I mean other than someplace like Iraq or Saudi Arabia? Are our only two choices really ISIS or the pride parade? Is it not possible to have anything in-between? To hell with this show, and to hell with Fuji TV for creating it.
- skillet
  
  ISIS and the feminist left are on the same side.
  
  Notice how in Sweden and Europe, the feminists and the left never attack sexist Islamic immigrant practices. That would be “racist”.. Even though in the Muslim cultures, women are often not even allowed to drive. That is the culture they are importing to Europe.
  
  Look at Sweden ! Feminsts only continue the browbeating of the poor submissive Swedish male and the dead horse cadaver of some imagined past patriarchy. A “micro-aggression” by a male Christian is a cardinal sin and penitence by self-flagellation is required. But leftists turn their heads and go to bat for the excesses of the immigrant populations.
  
  But once the Swedish “patriarchy” is smashed, it will be replaced by the new order that will put Jessica Valenti in a burka.
Resa Bennett

Unless Modern Family has drastically improved since the last time I watched it, it’s a terrible representation of LGBT people, made worse by being held up as a role model of realism when it could hardly be less so.

Even if this show is a cheesy soap opera, as long as it’s treated like any heterosexual cheesy soap, that’s a step to equal inclusion and it just needs to be enjoyable. I hope it’s good!
QueerJock2

It’s an interesting examination of cultural attitudes. She cites Modern Family as a positive portrayal of gay characters and insinuates the fact that Mitch and Cam are basically sexless is a positive that this new lesbian drama could stand to learn from.

Meanwhile over here, some have complained about that very thing, that it’s not uncommon to have make outs and steamy or risque scenes for straight couples on TV, while Mitch and Cam (and most other gay characters on network TV) almost never have sex and hardly ever kiss. In fact the idea that Mitch and Cam never kiss was the subject of an entire episode. How To Get Away With Murder kinda blew me away last season because I never expected to see an aggressive, passionate act of lovemaking between two men like that.
neko_ni_koban

As a point of interest, Fuji-TV broadcast a lesbian-themed drama, “Last Friends” in 2008, starring Ueno Juri. However, to be fair, it featured a one-side love affair, and not a ‘couple’ per se. It was a pretty good drama and not at all cliche-ed.
ProjektKobra

More depraved sickness from the non-culture of freaks and perverts.

No Jebus needed to expose the movement as anti-human.

When TSHTF youre all due for a reset to the natural order.
ProjektKobra

More depraved sickness from the non-culture of freaks and perverts.

No Jebus needed to expose the movement as anti-human.

When TSHTF youre all due for a reset to the natural order.
Mel

she’s right. lesbians should not sexaulized. there are more to us than our body parts and sleeping with other women. Japan, please catch up.

TOKYO (2 a.m.)

News

National / Social Issues

Fuji TV announces Japan-first lesbian drama, but attracts criticism for ‘outdated’ portrayal

by Andrew McKirdy

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