Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2015

Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2015, at Yoyogi park-Shibuya, on April 26, 2015. Some 3,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people paraded through Tokyo’s Shibuya district Sunday afternoon to demonstrate their hope that Japanese society will continue to forge ahead with recent moves to embrace equality and diversity. In a nation where prejudice against sexual minorities persists, the annual Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade has sought to counter the trend by openly spotlighting LGBT residents and spreading their voices. But this year, LGBT participants and proponents seemed particularly joyous, emboldened by what they see as a blossoming of LGBT-friendly moves by municipalities and companies. 

Participants hold a rainbow flag during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015. Thousands of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders (LGBT) and their supporters participated in the parade on Sunday to celebrate LGBT lifestyle and denounce prejudice and discrimination against sexual minorities.

Revellers wear costumes during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015. 

A man in drag costume poses for a picture during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015.

A man whose face is painted in the colours of the rainbow attends the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015.

Participants of the Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2015 pose for photographers before their parade in Tokyo on April 26, 2015. About 3,000 people took part in the annual gay parade, amid growing calls for more legal protection for the sexual minority. 

Revellers wear costumes during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015.

A reveller wears an inflated plastic bag in the shape of a pen*s during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015.

A reveller wears a metal chain and leather straps on his bare chest during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015.

Participants march during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015. 

Participants hold a banner as they march during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015.

Men in drag costumes wave from a float to participants during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015. 

A woman wears a bird mask as she pays a trombone during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015.

A reveller dances on a float during the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015.

Men wear drag costumes as they take part in the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade in Tokyo April 26, 2015.