Japanese pop star Shijiro Atae, rear heart, poses with others throughout an announcement for a year-end TV music present in Tokyo on Nov. 24, 2010. Atae stated he’s homosexual in an emotional announcement at a fan occasion Wednesday, July 26, 2023, that was warmly welcomed in a rustic the place the federal government doesn’t acknowledge LGBTQ equality. (Kyodo Information by way of AP)

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Japanese pop star Shijiro Atae, rear heart, poses with others throughout an announcement for a year-end TV music present in Tokyo on Nov. 24, 2010. Atae stated he’s homosexual in an emotional announcement at a fan occasion Wednesday, July 26, 2023, that was warmly welcomed in a rustic the place the federal government doesn’t acknowledge LGBTQ equality. (Kyodo Information by way of AP)

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MANILA, Philippines — Japanese pop idol Shinjiro Atae has come out as homosexual in a public announcement that’s uncommon in conservative Japan, the place same-sex unions usually are not authorized.

Talking Wednesday night to a crowd of about 2,000 of his followers in an auditorium in central Tokyo, Atae revealed he’s homosexual.

“I respect you and imagine you deserve to listen to this straight from me,” stated the 34-year-old Atae. “For years, I struggled to just accept part of myself. However now, in any case I’ve been via, I lastly have the braveness to divulge heart’s contents to you about one thing. I’m a homosexual man.”

“I do not need individuals to wrestle like me,” he continued.

No entertainer of a stature and recognition have out as queer in Japan and after his announcement, followers applauded, reviews LGBTQ Nation.

“I’m 200% supportive,” Atae’s mom informed the press after her son’s very public disclosure, the outlet reviews.

Atae is a singer-songwriter, mannequin and actor who debuted practically twenty years in the past with the J-pop co-ed group AAA earlier than launching a profitable solo profession.

Response on social media has been predominantly optimistic, with many netizens calling Atae courageous and wishing him properly.

“Shinjiro Atae of AAA has come out as homosexual that is large!!! I’m so blissful for him,” tweeted person mineru.

Even many who usually are not acquainted with Atae threw their help behind him.

“I do not observe the group however I applaud and am rooting so onerous for Shinjiro Atae! Your braveness is gorgeous!” wrote person Ces.

The LGBTQ group in Japan faces many challenges. It’s the solely member of the Group of seven main industrial nations that doesn’t permit same-sex marriage or civil unions — that is regardless of a latest ballot by Kyodo Information that confirmed 64% of respondents assume same-sex marriage needs to be acknowledged within the nation.

In the meantime, Japan lately handed its first-ever laws on sexual orientation and gender identification. However advocates say it nonetheless falls brief.

“This new regulation, whereas advancing the rights of LGBT individuals, falls properly wanting guaranteeing them equal safety from discrimination,” Human Rights Watch wrote in an announcement earlier this month. “Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ought to go additional. A complete nondiscrimination act is what is required if Japan is to guard the human rights of all.”