Panel Discussion on LGBTI Marriage Rights in Japan with Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe

A co-sponsored event celebrating the one-year anniversary of the LGBTI professionals organization Fruits in Suits

The Harvard Club of Japan and Fruits in Suits (FinS), Japan’s largest international LGBTI organization of professional men and women, are proud to present special guest Mayor Ken Hasebe of the City of Shibuya, who will speak about the background of the Shibuya ordinance to issue certificates recognized as an equivalent to marriage in his ward.

 

We will hear about the current situation and future initiatives as well as take questions from the audience in a candid discussion with two NPOs deeply involved with these political and social challenges.

 

We will also be joined by the Honorable Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark to Japan, who as representative of the first country to legalize same-sex marriage will join us in lauding Shibuya’s first step towards this goal.

 

Panelists include NPOs Equal Marriage Alliance Japan Founder and President Kazu Terada and Kyousei Net (Japan Sexual Minorities Support Network for Social Inclusion, JaSMin) Executive Director Minata Hara.


DATE and TIME: September 11th (Friday)  19:00pm to 21:00pm (Doors open at 18:30pm)

 

PLACE: Roppongi Hills Club

Directions: http://www.roppongihillsclub.com/visitor/dfw/en/common/pdf/map.pdf

 

ADMISSION:  7000 yen per person including standing buffet. Cash bar available.

 

RESERVATIONS: Please reserve your place at this event using the form right on the side of this page. (RESERVATIONS ARE ONLY ACCEPTED ONLINE. THE SYSTEM WILL DISPLAY A CONFIRMATION OF YOUR REGISTRATION ON YOUR PC SCREEN, BUT NO ADDITIONAL CONFIRMATION EMAIL WILL BE SENT.  ) 

PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS, NO-SHOWS WILL BE BILLED UNLESS CANCELLED BY 12:00 NOON ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9.   

 

Please contact Harvard Club of Japan Events Director Jonathan Harlow (jonathan@jonathanharlow.com) for any additional enquiries. 

 

Profile of Shibuya City Mayor Ken Hasebe:

  • Attended Jingumae Elementary School, Harajuku Junior High School 
    and Koseigakuen High School

  • Graduated from Senshu University

  • Established NPO “Green Bird” and started a campaign to “clean the town”: 
    A promotion not to litter the street with cigarette butts. Starting in Harajuku/Omotesando, it has now spread to more than 60 areas all over Japan.
  • Worked as a member of the Shibuya City Assembly from 2003 for 12 years.
  • Inaugurated as Mayor of Shibuya City on April 27, 2015. 

 

About Fruits in Suits:

FinS members are professionals in business, education, the arts and other fields, but we also serve as a nexus between our members and other LGBTI organizations working to realize and secure the equality and civil liberties of both Japanese and resident LGBTI individuals in Japan. Our mission is to inform the community of these domestic efforts through regularly scheduled speaker events and communications; unite with LGBTI organizations through a variety of financial and strategic initiatives; and support them to effect change in our communities and society.