A new poll from Hiroshima Shudo University shows that a majority of Japanese citizens support same-sex marriage. 51.1 percent of respondents backed the legalization of same-sex marriage, compared with just 41.3 percent who opposed the idea.
Support for marriage equality, however, did not necessarily translate into positive views on LGBT issues in general. 60 percent were uncomfortable with the idea of homosexuality among men, and 30 percent thought they would be uneasy if a friend came out as gay. 70 percent would be less-than-tolerant if a relative was trans and wanted to transition.
The survey was conducted in March and partly funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology.