A survey by the Mainichi Shimbun found that six four-year women’s universities in Japan now accept transgender women, meaning students who were assigned male at birth but identify as female. Another university plans to start accepting them in the future, and 16 more are still considering it. Since around 2020, more women’s universities have slowly begun allowing transgender women to apply.
The survey followed Fukuoka Women’s University’s announcement that it would become the first women’s university in Kyushu to accept transgender women. The Mainichi surveyed 60 women’s universities that had not said they would go co-ed, and 40 responded.
Among national universities, Ochanomizu University and Nara Women’s University already accept transgender women. Four private universities also do: Miyagi Gakuin Women’s University, Notre Dame Seishin University, Japan Women’s University, and Tsuda University. Ochanomizu and Nara were the first to do so in 2020. Fukuoka Women’s University is planning to start accepting students by 2029.
Sixteen universities are still thinking about it. Some say they support the idea but are still working on it. Others say they need more time to help students and staff understand and accept the change.
Seventeen universities said they do not accept transgender women. Many of them pointed to practical issues, like not having enough facilities such as gender-neutral restrooms. Others said they only accept students who are legally registered as female or said they have not considered the issue at all.
One university in western Japan said the country still needs more discussion and legal protection for transgender people. They added that without a clearer understanding from students and parents, it will take time before any change is possible.
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