Prevalence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender among Japanese university students: a single institution survey.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the prevalence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) among Japanese youth, we conducted a survey research that targeted university students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were first-year students (n=1597) at Ibaraki University, Japan (Phase 1 study) or second- to fourth-year students (n=944) at the university who were randomly preferred in the survey (Phase 2 study). Surveys measured gender identity and sexual orientation, partly using the gender identity scale (GIS). RESULTS: The prevalence of LGBT youth among university students were 2.7%, 0.5%, 5.3%, and 0.8% (Phase 1 study) or 1.4% (Phase 2 study), respectively. The GIS scores of the transgender group were significantly lower than those of the female, male, and LGB groups (p<0.01). DISCUSSION: This is the first to clarify the prevalence of LGBT among youth in Japan. It has been suggested that such individuals in Japan, as in other countries, are at risk for physical and mental health concerns, thereby necessitating social and medical intervention. Further investigation in these areas will be needed.

Japanese university students' views on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals based on previous encounters.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the acceptability of sexual minorities according to Japanese youth, we conducted a survey targeting university students. METHODS: Participants were second- to fourth-year students (n=945) at Ibaraki University, Japan, who were randomly chosen for the survey to measure their attitudes toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. We divided the respondents into two groups: one group who had encounters with LGBT people, and one group with no such experience. Chi-square tests were used to compare responses between the groups. RESULTS: More than 60% of the students considered LGBT people to be acceptable; the group with prior encounters had greater levels of acceptance compared to the group without such encounters. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to clarify the acceptability of sexual minorities among university students in Japan. Our data suggested that having contact with LGBT people in school life may help build an inclusive educational system.