Japanese lawmaker ordered to pay 1.1 million yen for exposing transgender author's privacy

Yumi Muramatsu, a city council member in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, has been ruled by the Tokyo District Court to have illegally infringed upon the privacy of Li Qinfeng, a Taiwanese writer residing in Japan. The court determined that Muramatsu violated privacy laws by publicly disclosing on social media a photograph of Li taken before their gender reassignment, along with their former name. On the 29th, the court ordered Muramatsu to pay Li damages of 1.1 million yen (approximately 220,000 New Taiwan dollars) and cease further dissemination of the relevant information. This case involves not only the protection of individual privacy but also touches upon cross-societal perceptions and respect for gender identity and LGBT rights.

Since completing the formal gender reassignment process in Japan in 2019, Li Qinfeng has become a prominent transgender writer in both Taiwanese and Japanese communities. Li’s works primarily focus on the life experiences of transgender individuals and societal prejudices, and they have frequently been presented at literary forums in both Taiwan and Japan. In 2021, during a public meeting of the Kofu City Council, Muramatsu cited an unauthorized photograph from the internet and publicly revealed Li’s former name, intending to subject Li to "political condemnation." This action attracted attention from local communities and international media and was viewed as a serious violation of personal dignity.

In Japan, individual privacy is protected by various laws, including the Personal Information Protection Act and the Penal Code. Under Article 130 of the Penal Code, no one may publicly disclose or disseminate another person’s private information without their consent. In reviewing this case, the court stated that Muramatsu’s actions violated these provisions and constituted an "improper infringement" by publicly releasing private data in a public setting on the basis of political stance. The court also considered that, as a transgender individual, Li’s gender reassignment process is an extremely personal and sensitive matter, and the public disclosure of their former name and photograph could lead to social discrimination and psychological harm.

This ruling holds significant implications for Japanese society and Japan-Taiwan relations. First, it strengthens legal protections for the privacy and dignity of transgender individuals, reminding public officials to respect personal choices in their conduct and speech. Second, for Taiwanese residents in Japan, the case provides a concrete legal basis, encouraging more individuals to assert their rights. Finally, from the perspective of international relations, continued progress by Japan in LGBT rights will enhance its positive image on the Asian human rights stage and foster consensus between the two sides on cultural exchange and human rights cooperation.

Although the judgment has been rendered, all parties involved must continue to monitor its enforcement and the social response. Li Qinfeng has expressed support for the court’s decision and called on Japanese society to strengthen education and protection for transgender individuals. Muramatsu stated that they will fulfill the compensation obligation in accordance with the law but maintain reservations regarding the political motivations behind the case. As societal acceptance of LGBT issues gradually increases, the frequency of similar cases is expected to decline, prompting public policies to become more inclusive and human-rights oriented. (Source: CNA)