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This chapter examines how the COVID-19 pandemicCOVID-19 pandemic – Japan reshaped the work, digital, and social lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in Japan, exposing structural inequalities while catalyzing new forms of resilience. The economic fallout disproportionately affected queer workers employed in precarious sectors such as nightlifeNightlife – LGBTQ+ Japan, closures, freelance, and service industriesService industries – LGBTQ+ Japan. Transgender participants, in particular, faced compounded challenges, including workplace discriminationWorkplace discrimination – LGBTQ+ Japan, bureaucratic barriers, and interruptions in gender-affirmingEmployment discrimination – LGBTQ+ Japan care. These dynamics align with Butler’s (2009) concept of “instabilityButler, Judithinstability” and Standing’s (2011) “precariatPrecariat (Standing) – LGBTQ+ Japan,” underscoring how queer labor remains vulnerable within Japan’s segmented labor market. The chapter also highlights the migration of queer communities to online spaces during lockdownsLockdowns – Japan, where digital platforms served as critical “counterpublicsCounterpublics (Warner)” (WarnerWarner, Michael – counterpublics, 2002) for activism, creativity, and emotional support. Online book clubs, virtual PrideDigital Pride events – Japan events, and social media campaigns emerged as affective infrastructuresBerlant, Laurenaffective infrastructuresAffective infrastructures (Berlant) (Berlant, 2011) sustaining community when physical venues were inaccessible. Yet, these digital spaces revealed intersectional divides, with immigrants, racial minorities, and rural participants navigating additional barriers. By combining first-person narratives with theoretical insights, the chapter demonstrates how pandemic conditions both magnified structural exclusions and inspired innovative hybrid forms of queer community-building, offering a glimpse into future possibilities for solidarity and advocacy in Japan.

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Work, Digital Communities, and Intersectional Challenges

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Masami Tamagawa

摘要

This chapter examines how the COVID-19 pandemicCOVID-19 pandemic – Japan reshaped the work, digital, and social lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in Japan, exposing structural inequalities while catalyzing new forms of resilience. The economic fallout disproportionately affected queer workers employed in precarious sectors such as nightlifeNightlife – LGBTQ+ Japan, closures, freelance, and service industriesService industries – LGBTQ+ Japan. Transgender participants, in particular, faced compounded challenges, including workplace discriminationWorkplace discrimination – LGBTQ+ Japan, bureaucratic barriers, and interruptions in gender-affirmingEmployment discrimination – LGBTQ+ Japan care. These dynamics align with Butler’s (2009) concept of “instabilityButler, Judithinstability” and Standing’s (2011) “precariatPrecariat (Standing) – LGBTQ+ Japan,” underscoring how queer labor remains vulnerable within Japan’s segmented labor market. The chapter also highlights the migration of queer communities to online spaces during lockdownsLockdowns – Japan, where digital platforms served as critical “counterpublicsCounterpublics (Warner)” (WarnerWarner, Michael – counterpublics, 2002) for activism, creativity, and emotional support. Online book clubs, virtual PrideDigital Pride events – Japan events, and social media campaigns emerged as affective infrastructuresBerlant, Laurenaffective infrastructuresAffective infrastructures (Berlant) (Berlant, 2011) sustaining community when physical venues were inaccessible. Yet, these digital spaces revealed intersectional divides, with immigrants, racial minorities, and rural participants navigating additional barriers. By combining first-person narratives with theoretical insights, the chapter demonstrates how pandemic conditions both magnified structural exclusions and inspired innovative hybrid forms of queer community-building, offering a glimpse into future possibilities for solidarity and advocacy in Japan.