About Tokyo Pride

An intersectional perspective

Tokyo Pride (formerly Tokyo Rainbow Pride) is one of Asia’s largest LGBTQ+ events, marking its 14th year. Since its our organization’s launch in 2012, through the Pride Parade and Pride Festival, visibility and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community have significantly grown in society. Today, the term “LGBTQ+” itself is widely recognized.

In recent years, Tokyo Pride has evolved into a space for all people with diverse identities, including LGBTQ+ individuals. This shift reflects the reality that many within the LGBTQ+ community hold multiple marginalized identities. We asked ourselves this year: Even if LGBTQ+ rights like marriage equality and anti-discrimination laws are achieved, will that alone create a world where everyone can truly live “as themselves, with joy and pride”?

Recognizing this would not be enough, we are expanding Tokyo Pride to address not just LGBTQ+ rights but also overlapping human rights issues—gender equality, disability rights, racial justice, employment opportunities, and more. With this in mind, we have renamed the event “Tokyo Pride” and will now host it throughout Pride Month, aiming for a more inclusive future.

Why We Changed the Name

This change reflects our commitment to recognizing the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community and respecting the unique identities of each person.
Just as the Rainbow Flag has evolved into the Progress Pride Flag, our event is becoming more inclusive, running throughout Pride Month under the name Tokyo Pride.
However, the term “Rainbow” will remain a cherished part of our organization’s identity.

What to Expect at Tokyo Pride 2025

Throughout Pride Month in June, Tokyo Pride will host events that deepen awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and human rights.

Alongside the annual Pride Parade and Pride Festival, we’re launching four new events focused on visibility, community-building, and advocacy:

Queer Art Exhibition – A platform for queer artists to showcase their work and foster cultural exchange.
Youth Pride – A youth-led initiative creating spaces for the next generation.
Human Rights Conference – In-depth discussions on critical human rights challenges.
Pride Night – A music and performance event celebrating the unique culture of Shinjuku Ni-chome.

Tokyo Pride brings together LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, organizations, businesses, embassies, and government bodies to promote understanding, break down prejudices, and push for equality.

Tokyo Pride 2025 Theme & Statement

From birth through to old age and beyond, we all have the right to make choices about our lives.

Yet, many face barriers to living as their true selves due to sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, socioeconomic background, and more. Notably in their right to learn,

Their right to work,
Their right to love
Their right to housing
Their right to healthcare
Their right to marriage, and
Their right to a family.

However, no matter our identity, we are all born with equal rights.

To reclaim these rights, legal reforms are necessary.

We will continue to demand Same Life, Same Rights until structural discrimination is dismantled and every person’s rights are secured and protected.