NEWTracing the History of Gay Activism in Japan: Lecture and Networking Session with Satoru Itoh

Center for Gender Studies, International Christian University Presents: "Tracking the History of Gay Activism in Japan: Lecture and Networking Session with Satoru Itoh"

We are pleased to welcome Satoru Itoh, an activist who has long been involved in public advocacy, workshops, and educational activities related to gay male and sexual minorities as a member of OCCUR (Ugoku Gay to Lesbian no Kai) and a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Sukotan!. Drawing on his experiences, this event traces the development of gay activism in Japan. The first half of the event will consist of a lecture on Itoh's activities and the history of the movement, while the second half will take the form of an informal networking session, providing an opportunity to discuss social changes and ongoing challenges surrounding sexual minorities.

Date: Wednesday, September 16th, 2026, 13:30-17:30

Language: Japanese (there will be no translation)

Place: Alumni Lounge, Alumni House 2nd floor, International Christian University (No. 21 of the Campus Map) (Face-to-face only)

Timetable:

13:30-15:50　Lecture Session (Including a Break)

15:50-16:20　Break

16:20-17:30　Networking Session

* Only joining the either session is welcome!

Profile of Satoru Itoh:

Captivated by the television puppet series Hyokkori Hyōtanjima from an early age, Satoru Itoh kept extensive records of the program and later contributed to its revival. Through this experience, Itoh learned ways of confronting injustice. As a self-described “archivist,” Itoh has continually expanded the scope of activism and engagement through the creation and preservation of archives. After many years of teaching at high schools, preparatory schools, and universities, Itoh now serves as a human rights lecturer for Chiba Prefecture and as the representative of Sukotan!, a nonprofit organization founded 32 years ago to support the lives of gay and bisexual men.

Registration Form: https://forms.gle/FSTagdnpGZRxvLas7 (Registration will close once full)

* This event has established ground rules. All participants are asked to adhere to them.

Contact: Center for Gender Studies, International Christian University (ICU)
E-mail: cgs@icu.ac.jp

Accessibility Accommodations: If you require accessibility accommodations, please contact the Center for Gender Studies (cgs@icu.ac.jp) by September 9 (Wed.). Please note that, due to limited staffing and resources, we may not be able to accommodate all requests. We appreciate your understanding.

Planning: Kairi Shimabukuro

Support: Yuumi Konishi, Wen Chloe, Ayumi Taniguchi