The Japanese mass media talked so much about sexual orientation in 2002, when a professional motor boat racer restarted his professional life as a man, not as a woman as he did before. “Gender identity disorder” was unheard of.
It passed five years since then. Many things came and went. Some cheesy dramas, good documentaries, gossips, discrimination, so on and so forth.
But it seems like the “gender identity disorder” is more and more recognised. I felt so when I watched the ongoing TV drama, “Last Friends” (Please see its opening above). It is not quite cheesy. And the actress who is playing the role is known for her healthy look. Were it some years ago, they would have looked for someone with unfamous name.
The drama also takes up the subject of domestic violence. Unlike what was depicted in media before, this domestic violence takes place in a relation of two unmarried people (She left him, but he stalks her). Yes, this is a part of domestic violence, as it is not only for married people. This was also a new term some years ago.
For this, too, what surprised me is that the actor playing the guy abusing his girlfriend (and later ex-girlfriend) is a member of Johnny’s & Associates, probably the best-known Japanese production company for boys looking like Back Street Boys or something like that (One of those male “idols”). Were it some years ago, the company and actor would not have accepted the role as it might “damage his reputation.”
Next Thursday is the day for its last episode. Although it includes pretty bad violent scenes, the images are not exceeding the message of the drama. It is because most of the actors (I should say not all…) in the drama have succeeded to show struggling feelings of the roles they are playing.
But I doubt that situation completely changed for good for the people discriminated for their sexual orientation and the psychologically and physically abused. If it had bettered, though, it is because of people who struggled for justice. And it seems like there are still needs for the struggle… but with some hope.
