a distinction she still holds as of today. Sexuality In August 2005, Otsuji published an autobiography , and in doing so came out as Japan's first lesbian politician, the day before 2005 Tokyo Pride. In 2005, Otsuji was instrumental in bringing about a legislative change that allows same-sex couples to rent housing from the Osaka Prefectural Housing Corporation, a privilege previously reserved for married couples. Since same-sex marriages are not recognised under Japanese law, gay couples in Osaka had previously found it impossible to rent public housing. In March–April 2006, Otsuji attended International Lesbian and Gay Association's world conference in Geneva. In June 2006, Otsuji visited the United States on a trip sponsored by the International Visitor Leadership Program of the US Department of State. During her visit she met representatives from the National Center for Transgender Equality, the National Association of LGBT Community Centers, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Freedom to Marry and the Stonewall Democrats. In June 2007, Otsuji held a public wedding ceremony in Nagoya with her partner Maki Kimura, although same-sex marriages are not legally recognised in Japan. Otsuji did not stand for re-election in April 2007. Her first term in the Osaka Assembly expired on April 29, 2007, but in July 2007 she appeared on the official candidate list of the Democratic Party of Japan, becoming the first-ever openly homosexual serious contender for election to the National Diet. Otsuji received 38,230 votes, far short of securing the seat, so there were no openly homosexual elected officials in Japan until the election of Taiga Ishikawa, an assemblyman in Tokyo's Toshima ward, in 2011. August 22, 2009, is the world premiere of director Naomi Hiltz's documentary film Kanako: Challenging The System at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival. The film covers the last 17 days of the campaign, ending with election day. References External links Japan Times — Lesbian politician Kanako Otsuji talks about gender issues in Japan Japan Media Review — Osaka Legislator 'Comes Out' in Autobiography TransNews Annex — Japan's first openly gay politician speaks up for nation's silent minorities — IHT/Asahi — Article on Otsuji's wedding in Pink News - New Beginnings for Gay Movement: Kanako Otsuji at Fridae.com (Empowering Gay Asia) — Japanzine - The Lesbian Politician 1974 births Living people Female members of the House of Representatives (Japan) Members of the House of Representatives (Japan) Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan politicians