George Takei said he needed courage and anger to come out as gay and to join the equal rights movement for sexual minorities in the U.S., and he hopes his Japanese counterparts will do the same to make their society more equal.
Takei said he has noticed a movement beginning in Japan, though the country of his ancestry has a long way to go. He said Japanese people need to fight for their own rights and they need to be a bit angry, too.
The "Star Trek" actor also known for his gay and civil rights activism, said he was encouraged to have met with Japanese activists for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, and even some of their parents fighting for their children.
"They have to have courage to come out and share their lives honestly," Takei said. Once they get a ball rolling, more movement would follow, like "a ripple effect" that spreads, he added. "So I'm optimistic. I do think that Japan will be one of the nations that have equality and that too will serve as an example for other Asian nations."
In a country where conformity is highly required, many sexual minorities still fear discrimination at work and bullying at schools, and many don't come out. Around the Asia-Pacific region, only New Zealand has legalized same-sex marriage.
Takei, 77, is in Japan to attend embassy-organized events marking LGBT Pride Month in the U.S. He later toasted gay rights at a reception hosted by Ambassador Caroline Kennedy attended by about 160 people, including Japan's first lady Akie Abe.
Delighted by a miniature of Starship Enterprise from Kennedy before the reception, Takei said it was perfect for the occasion: "That is our Utopian future. This Enterprise (starship in 'Star Trek') is a metaphor of Starship Earth with all of its diversity - not only the diversity of race and culture and history but also the unseen diversity of orientation, all coming together working in concert for a better future. And that is what we are doing here tonight. "
Jun 06
G7 backs Abe, stops short of naming China in statement Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won support from leaders of other Group of Seven nations on Wednesday for the freedoms of navigation and overflight, as well as the importance of the rule of law. (standard.net 
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Jun 06
Nigerian manager of Roppongi club busted last year arrested at airport Tokyo Metropolitan Police earlier this week arrested the Nigerian manager of a night club in the Roppongi entertainment area who had fled Japan last year, reports TV Asahi (June 5). (Tokyo Reporter )
Jun 06
Softbank to sell human-like robots Major Japanese telecom operator Softbank says it will start selling human-like robots early next year. (NHK )
Jun 06
Abe gains G-7 support for Tokyo-Pyongyang deal on abduction issue Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gained support from his Group of Seven colleagues on Thursday for a recent deal between Japan and North Korea over Pyongyang's past abductions of Japanese nationals. (Jiji Press )
Jun 06
Govt to double duty-free shops to 10,000 by 2020 The government plans to double duty-free shops to about 10,000 by 2020, with an eye to the upcoming Tokyo Olympic and Paralympics, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. (The Japan News )
Jun 06
Japan's next big trend could be 'Neo Gals' Pink hair. Ripped jeans. Bling. Meet Japan's "Neo Gals," part Americana, part Tokyo, and lots and lots of bleach. (kotaku.com )
Jun 06
George Takei sees gay pride beginning in Japan George Takei said he needed courage and anger to come out as gay and to join the equal rights movement for sexual minorities in the U.S., and he hopes his Japanese counterparts will do the same to make their society more equal. (Japan Today )
Jun 06
26-year-old man arrested for beating 2-month-old son Police in Ojiya, Niigata Prefecture, said Thursday they have arrested a 26-year-old man for abusing his 2-month-old son. (Japan Today )
Jun 05
Parts of western Japan experience record rainfall Parts of western Japan have experienced record rainfall over the last 24 hours, the Japan Meteorological Agency said Thursday. (Japan Today )
Jun 05
Yosakoi Soran Festival opens in Sapporo Thousands of team dancers are giving lively performances at the Yosakoi Soran Festival in Sapporo City, northern Japan. (NHK )
Jun 05
Japan's fertility rate edges up to 1.43 in 2013 Japan's total fertility rate in 2013 edged up 0.02 point from the previous year to 1.43, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said Wednesday. (Jiji Press )
Jun 05
Abducted girl, 7, slain 'over noise' A man arrested Tuesday on suspicion of abducting and murdering a 7-year-old girl in 2005 told investigators he killed her because she started making a noise, sources said Wednesday. (Japan Times )
Jun 05
Where are all the open-air cafes? Although cafes have been permitted to operate on public streets since a relevant law was revised three years ago, open-air cafes are far and few between. Due to complicated certification procedures, Tokyo, for example, still has only one such cafe. (The Japan News )
Jun 05
Gov't announces 'zero stray dogs and cats' action plan The Environment Ministry has announced its first action plan to reduce to zero the number of stray dogs and cats killed. (Japan Today )
Jun 04
Man fatally stabbed after argument with acquaintance on Osaka street Osaka police have issued an arrest warrant for a 46-year-old man over his suspected involvement in the murder of an acquaintance on Tuesday. (Japan Today )