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■[文献][English]Clinical characteristics of transsexuals who changed sex registration in Japan

First Asia Oceanic Congress of Sexology　2006

Clinical characteristics of transsexuals who changed sex registration in Japan

K.Harima

Background: In July 2004, a new law which enables transsexual to change their sex registration was implemented in Japan. The conditions to change sex registration are; diagnosed by at least two doctors as having gender-identity disorder, aged 20 or older, unmarried, having no children, not be able to reproduce and having similar appearance of the external genitalia of the opposite sex. By the Supreme Court official announcement, 326 transsexuals have been permitted to change sex registration and 4 transsexuals have been rejected until December 2005. By this official announcement, there is no more detailed information about characteristics of the applicants.

Method: I have drawn up 61 medical certificates for family court application of sex change registration until 31/7/2006. One MTF transsexual has been rejected to change sex registration because she has children. 46 transsexuals ( FTM16 and MTF30 ) have already been permitted and I analyzed these 46 transsexuals' clinical characteristics.

Results:

1) Age.

FTM; ave.32.4 ( 20-53 ),

MTF; ave. 32.8 ( 23-45 ) .

2) Diagnosis by psychiatrist before SRS.

FTM; by 2 psychiatrists 16.

MTF; none 5, by 1 psychiatrists 7, by 2 psychiatrists 18.

3) Country where SRS received.

FTM; Japan 9, Thailand 5, Taiwan 1, USA 1.

MTF; Japan 6, Thailand 21, Singapore 2, USA 1.

4) SRS phase of FTM.

Hysterectomy and ovariectomy only 7, +metaidoioplasty 8, +phalloplasty 1.

Conclusion: Since enforcement of a new TS law, 326 transsexuals changed their sex registration in Japan. My clinical data shows some aspects of practical interpretation and application of this new law.

■[english]Makeup, voice lessons help lighten transsexuals' lives

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0XPQ/is_1998_Dec_28/ai_53537378

Makeup, voice lessons help lighten transsexuals' lives

Japan Policy & Politics, Dec 28, 1998

TOKYO, Dec. 23 Kyodo Several measures including techniques for better makeup, voice training, and noting change of sex in family registers are needed to improve the quality of life for transsexuals and transgenders, a gender clinic surgeon said Wednesday. Ako Takamatsu, a plastic surgeon at Saitama Medical College, stressed the need to alleviate the suffering of transsexuals and transgenders, citing a survey showing some 25% of such patients at her clinic have a history of self-inflicted injuries or attempted suicide.

If people suffering from gender identity disorders could pass as members of the opposite sex with better makeup and voice training, it will reduce their suicidal behavior, Takamatsu said at a Tokyo symposium on the quality of life for transsexuals and transgenders. Transsexuals are people who wish to undergo sex-change operations or sex reassignment surgery, whereas transgenders are people who live, or have a psychological urge to live, like members of the opposite sex without resorting to surgery. Reiko Kazuki, 46, a makeup artist who offers cosmetic advice to transgenders, echoed Takamatsu's view, saying changing their appearance could alter their way of living and enable them to enjoy a more comfortable life. The survey conducted on 182 clients with gender incongruities who visited the clinic between July 1992 and April 1998, also revealed that some 40% of the clients have not got permanent positions at work, with 20% of them having experience of working in bars or nightclubs. Takamatsu pointed out the need to change the Japanese family registration system which requires clarification of a person's sex, saying the system prevents transsexuals and transgenders from being hired as regular employees. They are usually obliged to submit a copy of their family documents when seeking a job, she said. All Japanese citizens are required by law to be registered in the family registry kept by local authorities. Honoho Morino, 38, a freelance writer and founder of a support group for transsexuals and transgenders, however, said the movement to change the family registration system would be unnecessary if public understanding were gained for transsexuals and transgenders and society accepted such people as they are without discrimination. Katsuki Harima, a psychiatrist who counsels patients with gender identity disorders, said gaining the understanding of their family is also important for their quality of life. Patients' families as well as the patients themselves need proper treatment to ease their mental anguish, as parents often keep blaming themselves for their children becoming transsexuals or transgenders, Harima said. Ruru Ogawa, a director of a film on transgenders, said that despite the measures recommended to improve the quality of transgenders' lives, the most important thing is that they can lead satisfactory lives as they are without resorting to makeup and voice training. On Oct. 16, Japan's first legal sex-change operation on a woman began at Saitama Medical College. According to an estimate by the college, up to 7,000 people in Japan want to live as transsexuals.