Influential Japanese businesswoman says she is in same-sex relationship

Her poor children.

Why, what's happened to them? Their mom has a new, loving partner. Should she remain in a failed relationship?

Should any of us?

I fully support her and her relationship but why does she feel the need to make it public?

Because to the general public, who for the most part, and speaking in generalities here, still view the LGBT community here in Japan as something that is for celebrities on TV and are on the fringes of society. It's ok for someone else, but not their family or relatives.

She is letting the world know, on her terms, that it's normal. Does it bother you that she went public?

Her poor children.

What? After two broken marriages, she finally has someone who cares and loves her? Poor you!

Good for her and her partner and if it raises awareness and acceptance, I'm all for it.

Maybe one day in the future, news stories like this will become irrelevant and there will be no more moralising over who people chose to fall in love with.

No more people saying you can't have two moms or two dads.

No more intolerance.

I fully support her and her relationship but why does she feel the need to make it public?

To control how the story comes out as opposed to the tabloids? To help pave the way for other same sex couples who feel pressured to hide?

she is a grown woman, free to do whatever she wants to, it’s nobody’s business.

Being open about her relationship is what she wants to do. What business is that of yours?

anyway - have to feel sorry for bisexuals.

May the moment they have to choose one sex to marry..

they must feel terribly unfulfilled .

Unless of course they married one and kept the other relationship private?

or would that cause depression. Etc?

Don't feel sorry for bisexuals, unless they are being targetted by ignorant bigots. They are like everyone else; they have lives, relationships, families and friends. Like other people, they can be monogamous or they are not looking for a commitment.

I imagine a certain amount of depression might be caused by some people believing they are constantly in heat and are somehow, unfulfilled.

wonder how the former husbands, kids, ex-in laws and parents are feeling.

Probably the same as any family member, when separation or divorce occurs.

anyway - have to feel sorry for bisexuals. May the moment they have to choose one sex to marry..they must feel terribly unfulfilled. Unless of course they married one and kept the other relationship private?

The same could be said of straight couples. Do you feel sorry for the unfulfillment they feel when they have to choose the one man/woman to marry? It's called commitment. Regardless of sexual preference, some people are better at it than others, and that's normal too. Marriage isn't for everyone.

The idea that homosexuality is equal to heterosexuality is simply untrue. That's not a moral judgment. It's simple biology.

Sure, biologically speaking there's differences, but on a societal level, if they're not hurting anyone, there's no reason to treat them unequally.

And how many other "born gay" people have actually had sexual relations with members of the opposite sex, and even parented children by them?

I think it's best to think of it as a spectrum, with completely gay on one side and completely straight on the other and most people lying in varying degrees in between.

No one with same-sex attraction should ever be mistreated, abused, or harassed because of them. But there's no reason to accept homosexual behavior as "just as natural and as normal" as heterosexuality.

Again, on a societal level, is there any good reason to differentiate between natural and normal at all if no one is getting hurt or inconvenienced in any way? Because preoccupation with what's normal is usually what causes mistreatment, abuse, and harassment.

There is no community !

Is this a special club ?

You are what you are but nothing to do with success.

I believe you have one mother in life making notion of family.

Marriage has now only financial meaning and I despise this for the sake of kids.

Great if you can speak freely about who you care for most.

But nothing to do with marriage and the intent of creating the core of a family.

Dire demography if you promote this attitude of making look bad heterosexuals out of the club.

WOW, really keeping your head in the sand here. It most definitely is a large and vibrant community! Your insecurities about their sexuality shouldn't matter, but obviously they have influenced you to the extent that you now fear what you do not understand, or choose not to understand!

How do children of Katsuma call her partner? Husband and Wife are dead words.

When have children ever called their parents "husband" or "wife"?

Toasted HereticToday  12:38 pm JST

Good for her and her partner and if it raises awareness and acceptance, I'm all for it.

Maybe one day in the future, news stories like this will become irrelevant and there will be no more moralising over who people chose to fall in love with.

I was going to correct you by pointing out that moralizing is more something the religious fanatics of western countries tend to do. In Japan the struggles LGBT face seem to revolve around issues of shame and family acceptance.

...but then the point became moot when a bunch of moralizing westerners posted in here to lecture a woman they have never met, likely will never meet, and who will certainly never read their comments here, about how to live. So you win this round, Heretic!

Hakman said -

"...Politically correct blathering notwithstanding, no one is "born gay." Studies on identical twins have confirmed this..."

Really?

Lots of other opinions abound.

Just for one, plenty of research done on Endocrine Disruptors during critical phases of pregnancy to suggest that gender definition may be impacted. 

Or studies in Genonmic Imprinting and Epigenetics. Again interesting work showing significant possibilities of "interferences" during pregnancies resulting in multitudes of changes including sexual orientation.

Biological Studies is not an absolutism.

@gaijinpapa

I think you have a lot of misconceptions about bisexuals. I am one, so let me tell you.

Being bisexual doesn't mean you want to be with one person of both sexes at the same time at all times. It just means you are open to falling in love, regardless of gender. It's not a factor. I'm a very monogamous woman engaged to a man, and I feel completely fulfilled! He's a wonderful person who I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life with, and I don't feel like I'm missing out by not being with a woman.

Well said, Jonorth. This is precisely why we need stories like this, to dispel the myths and educate folk.

Misunderstandings and deliberate distortion can lead to hate crimes against LGBT people.

Poor children? What a narrow view. If the children see their mother/ father happy, how are they unhappy? All this rubbish about how children need a father and a mother to raise them. If raised with love and attention the gender or amount of parents is irrelevant. Better to be a happy single parent or same-sex parent than an unhappy so called "normal" parent.

Kids need to see their parents happy, regardless of the politics.

I'd bet not a dentist or her teeth would have been whitened.

Or perhaps a good dentist who cares about teeth and not appearance.

As trite as it may seem, I find her photo with a minimum of makeup very attractive. It's a refreshing change.

I fully support her and her relationship but why does she feel the need to make it public?

she is a grown woman, free to do whatever she wants to, it’s nobody’s business.

So what?

It means you don't have to be ashamed, anymore. You don't have to hide, or worry what other people say.

It makes a nice change to the miserable, horrible and tragic stories we read here on a daily basis. Ok, it's not earth-shattering but it's a happy tale, a positive one. Gosh knows, we need some good news.

Congratulations! though I have to say, in an accepting community this would not be news.

"An influential businesswoman has shocked many working women in Japan by disclosing she is in same-sex relationship, possibly a game-changing event in the nation's slowly growing acceptance of sexual minorities."

If they're shocked, and if it's game-changing, how is there acceptance?

"Polygamy should also be allowed" - Schopenhauer

And polyandry - it's only fair. Frankly consenting adults should be able to do whatever they want. Governments should butt out.

Probably not. But was she "born that way"? Not a chance.

Did you chose to be heterosexual?

Because to the general public, who for the most part, and speaking in generalities here, still view the LGBT community here in Japan as something that is for celebrities on TV and are on the fringes of society. It's ok for someone else, but not their family or relatives.

This. A thousand times this. That said, I do think that Japanese people tend to be more accepting. The fear and loathing of same sex relationships appears to come from outsiders. It's sad but this is why people who are marginalised should be shouting their happiness and defiance of socially constructed parameters/"norms" from the rooftops.

This is a great, feel-good article. More please!

That said, I do think that Japanese people tend to be more accepting.

Same here. Pretty much all women i know here have had at least one same-sex experience or near SSE (usually as a teen/young adult) or have a close friend who has, and all are obviously fine with that. I doubt they'll be 'shocked' by these news tbh. (was pretty much the same in the west, again, in my experience).

I think male homosexuality or bisexuality remains more stigmatized though especially among men (not only in japan). Dunno if a society like Japan is 'ready' for its so called male role models to come out as gay or bisexual? Would J ppl still love/support Nishikori, Honda, Kitano, Watanabe, Ohtani etc if they were gay or bi? Not sure (meaning, i don't think so)

An influential businesswoman has shocked many working women in Japan by disclosing she is in same-sex relationship, possibly a game-changing event in the nation's slowly growing acceptance of sexual minorities.

I actually think that the asexual group/community is the fastest-growing 'sexual minority' in our society.

They are human beings and are to be treated with dignity, respect, and Christ-like love.

Please explain your religious reference as some of us here are not religious.

But their sexual behavior is not what we are designed for. If homosexuality were just as natural and normal as heterosexuality, then the entire human species could engage in it and not go extinct.

Is being religious natural? How about couples who cannot have kids? Couples who adopt or are too old to pro-create?

Of course being LGBT is normal and natural. This is exactly why stories like Katusma san's need to be heard more often.

Well, looks like she tried men (with two marriages under her belt) and if she has found the one, who happens to be a woman, then good for her.

If you can read Japanese, the reviews in Japanese on Amazon Japan of her book, "結局、女はキレイが勝ち" roughly "Women succeed through beauty" are pretty funny. 55% gave the book one star. It contains such groundbreaking pearls of wisdom as "３５歳までに結婚して子供を"

Why are people being so homophobic about this lady's sexual identity? Weather she is gay or straight, she is not hurting you. I fully support sam sex relationships and mariges. And what does the colour of her teeth got to do anything?

I say good on her for coming out and that she is beating the same sex taboo about gay relationships in Japan. It needs to be more widely recognized and appreciated. Love is love. No matter what. Take that homophobs.

I hope she is happy. She seems very smart. I wonder if her friends real occupation is a dentist as I thought I read in a tabloid.

but being married twice disqualifies one from becoming an advisor  - ebisen

For most of our history people have had multiple marriages. Historically it was due to higher spousal mortality, but that that is not an important difference.

It's worrisome to read the reactions on this site, the ignorance towards homosexuality is mind blowing. So much hidden disapproval, so many anti-gay closet cases.. Wow.

The fact that people wonder why she came out, the amount of irritation expressed by many of you for this fact shows that influential people do need to come out! If the article was about her third marriage to a man, some folks would have said "congratulations", but most would have ignored the news..

Congrats to her, it's not easy to come out in this gender role enforcing society... Sad that in this time of day people still have to announce their sexual preferences, They make their announcements to help and encourage similar minded folks, because they know that the line between tolerance and acceptance is still a thick one.

There is no right nor wrong in choosing your sexual orientation, but consequences come with it, as any choice.

Did you chose to be heterosexual and what are the consequences of that?

tired of people airing their dirty laundry in public

What's dirty about one's sexual orientation?

So, she's done the Kids thing, and now that she's past the sex thing, she's into the platonic love thing. Whats wrong with that ?

Saying that people choose to be gay makes about as much sense as saying that people choose to be straight. It suggests you can choose not to be. Can you?

From this column: "In April, the city government of Fukuoka began recognizing partnerships of LGBT couples, adding to efforts to eliminate discrimination against sexual minorities." There was an incident last month in this city Fukuoka, where I live. It was a party for lesbians the place I like to go to have some beer but was reserved only for them some hours, I automatically understood why I was rejected at the entrance. Next me there was a stylish "guy" that I knew he's a by-sexual and he was rejected, too. He was discussing with 3 lesbians at the entrance why he was rejected if he is one of the LGBT. No answers, but rejected the event be only for lesbians. My point is: Kazuyo Katsuma to unify them or they will be divided in "tribes".

Hurrah??

I wonder when her partner got separated. Her union was a highly publicized event that took place only about 2 and a half years ago.

Schopenhauer: "The same sex marriage incur very much complicated problems law wise and in social order. It is a disorderly conduct. Keep the same sex love in private."

It's only a problem for bigots.

I hope she is happy. She seems very smart. I wonder if her friends real occupation is a dentist as I thought I read in a tabloid.

I'd bet not a dentist or her teeth would have been whitened.

Happiness is something we each have to make ourselves regardless of our situation.

I don't mind if others share their situation, but I don't care either. Others might need to hear about it for their own reasons. Whatever makes them happy and doesn't harming anyone else who isn't willing.

so she is gay who cares? tired of people airing their dirty laundry in public

It's not like she's talking about strap-ons and specific fetishes. You're referring to a simple admission of her partner's gender as "dirty laundry" that shouldn't be aired, so you obviously "care" in the sense that you're bothered by it. At least be honest about your homophobia, because I'm tired of the pretense.

I fully support her and her relationship but why does she feel the need to make it public?

To control how the story comes out as opposed to the tabloids? To help pave the way for other same sex couples who feel pressured to hide?

she is a grown woman, free to do whatever she wants to, it’s nobody’s business.

Being open about her relationship is what she wants to do. What business is that of yours?

tabloids are only there to cause controversy and create chaos which in turn generate ratings and possibly income, why should anyone be surprised by what they do or try to do?

Never said her relationship ship was any of my business, as I stated before I fully support her,I just don’t see why anyone should have to make statements about what they choose to do with their personal lives especially when it has no negative affect on anyone else.

Why shouldn't she talk about her relationship? People in the public eye do it all the time - in interviews with people in business and entertainment, they talk about their family, their partner, their children. When they separate, divorce, get married, they talk about it. And so has this woman. All power to her.

Good for her!

Third times a charm.

I don't understand same-sex attraction because I don't have it myself. I am attracted to women. As for these people they shouldn't have to hide it from anyone, let alone themselves. If a person is gay then that person shouldn't have to live a lie. I'll never understand homosexuality but I know that it's not a choice, it is natural - for a minority, and they don't need to deny or hide it. I do know that most of them are not the 'family fabric' monsters we get told they are. I do not hate them and I do not fear them.

Why shouldn't she talk about her relationship?

Because it makes people uncomfortable of course. Can't have people talking about things that others are uncomfortable with, you know, things like love, companionship and attraction.

but why does she feel the need to make it public?

she is a grown woman, free to do whatever she wants to, it’s nobody’s business.

She makes public so others who are like her can also live their lives normally. Gays are put in the closet by society. Straight people declare their sexuality all the time.

Regarding being gay by choice, that is ridiculous. Why would anyone choose to be that way when they know people will hate them for it? People are gay because they are gay by nature. Just as many other creatures in the world are gay as well.

You can't choose your sexuality and whatever it is, it's not wrong, immoral or evil. It's what you do with it that may be sinful or bad. And that doesn't matter if your gay or straight.

So what?

I only have two words to say to this, “So what!”

“Probably the same as any family member, when separation or divorce occurs.”

no, I think this would be a LOT more complicated.

Jonorth, thanks for answering. You’re right. I don’t know anything about bisexuals. Or lesbians. Etc

Hope her kids are not bullied in school.

Is she admitting to having sexual relationships with the same sex ? Or, just feels more comfortable with the same sex ?

Why people do not want to guard their privacy and keep it to themselves? What you do in bed shall be your private matters, no need to let the world know.

For most of our history people have had multiple marriages. Historically it was due to higher spousal mortality, but that that is not an important difference.

Sure, I fully agree to this. But in the today's society, where nobody is forced to marry, get kids, etc., I still consider it a failure (mismanagement, misjudgement, etc) to divorce. She would make a better divorce adviser, than a life-planning adviser.

According to her website, more than five million copies of her books on work-life balance, self-management and other topics have been published.

..and then:

Katsuma had previously been married twice.

I wish her all the best and happiness in life, regardless of her sexual orientation.

I will sound VERY judgemental, but being married twice disqualifies one from becoming an advisor on work-life balance and self-management. The fact is, she sold 5 million books with (probably) good advices in them, advices she didn't follow herself.

@Yubaru

Disgusting how you judge people you don't know. Being LGBT does not make you special. I fear nothing lol and I accept any ideas and people.

There is no right nor wrong in choosing your sexual orientation, but consequences come with it, as any choice.

Do I need to say I am gay to be heard ? No.

You are welcome.

Japan is open and accepting differences in everyday life. Law and social preferences you need to fit in, it takes time for evolution and especially in Japan.

so she is gay who cares? tired of people airing their dirty laundry in public

Polygamy should also be allowed as anything happens.

So when are bisexual people going to be brave and declare that they are in love?

More would you need two men and two women to get formally recognized as being married if each one were bisexual and could be with a partner they loved of both sexes.

Getting complicated..

anyway - have to feel sorry for bisexuals.

May the moment they have to choose one sex to marry..

they must feel terribly unfulfilled .

Unless of course they married one and kept the other relationship private?

or would that cause depression. Etc?

wonder how the former husbands, kids, ex-in laws and parents are feeling.

anyway, she looks happy.

and I can accept lesbians much more than gays.

(Joke!)

sort of

now waiting to see if I’ll gry even one like

She may be happy but There IS no

Need of telling to public.Personally I prefer woman because I am a Man.

Sore wa taihen iideshne.Japanese people are very intelligent.

Sayounara

The same sex marriage incur very much complicated problems law wise and in social order. It is a disorderly conduct. Keep the same sex love in private.

It’s sad. Two marriages and still struggling to find love. Poor kids.

How do children of Katsuma call her partner? Husband and Wife are dead words.

There is no community !

Is this a special club ?

You are what you are but nothing to do with success.

I believe you have one mother in life making notion of family.

Marriage has now only financial meaning and I despise this for the sake of kids.

Great if you can speak freely about who you care for most.

But nothing to do with marriage and the intent of creating the core of a family.

Dire demography if you promote this attitude of making look bad heterosexuals out of the club.

Her poor children.