Tokyo CNN —Japan’s Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision on Tuesday, ruling against a government agency that had barred a transgender employee from using the women’s bathroom, according to public broadcaster NHK.
The decision was the top court’s first ruling involving the rights of sexual minorities in the workplace, NHK reported.
The plaintiff is an employee in her 50s, working at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
In an email to CNN on Tuesday, METI said it was aware that there was a Supreme Court ruling Tuesday regarding the use of women’s bathrooms by a transgender METI employee.
And under Japan’s Gender Identity Disorder Special Cases Act, enacted 20 years ago, transgender individuals must undergo invasive surgeries – including sterilization – to be legally recognized according to their gender identity.
Persons:
Tokyo CNN —, METI, “
Organizations:
Tokyo CNN, Tokyo CNN — Japan’s, Court, NHK, Japan’s Ministry, Economy, Trade, Industry, National Personnel Authority, CNN, Japan’s
Locations:
Tokyo, Japan