Additional Interview

Takahashi: Yes, that's true. I apologize for interrupting, but when I was working at a facility called a group home, where people with disabilities live, I used to cook meals together with a 35-year-old individual who had a disability. They had an intellectual disability, and they once shared their dream for the future with me. They said, "My dream for the future is to go to Kappa Sushi and eat sushi." I didn't know how to respond. I could easily go to Kappa Sushi on my way home, but for them, it might be a financial issue, or perhaps they couldn't go alone and needed to go with a helper. It could also be that they just saw a commercial and mentioned it without much thought, or maybe they simply have a strong desire to eat there right now. I'm not sure. But when they told me that going to Kappa Sushi was their dream for the future, I felt a strong urge to ensure that they have the means to fulfill that dream, and knowing that has become my driving force. Hearing you mention dreams reminded me of this incident.

Watanabe: I see. It might involve financial issues, but it seems that multiple factors can overlap and lead people with disabilities to narrow down their goals.

Takahashi: At the end, what I'm trying to convey is that just because I'm talking about it today doesn't mean I absolutely have to accept LGBT people or that it's prejudice to speak ill of them. Personally, I feel it's a bit different to say, "I don't like that person because they're gay," but it's okay to say, "I don't like Kei Takahashi." I have gay friends I don't get along with, and I think it's natural to have people with disabilities whom you don't like. Also, while it's good that organizations doing LGBTQ awareness activities hold parades to raise awareness, some people don't want them to be associated with extremists. It's okay for society to progress, but if everyone becomes extreme, then gay people like us who just want to be left alone might feel like heterosexual people are too fixated on not understanding us, and it might seem like everyone has the same prejudice. As a person, I really think it should be enough to determine whether you like or dislike someone based on that person alone, not just because they're gay. I'm trying to convey that you should judge the individual, not just because they're gay. After all, being gay doesn't define everything about that person.

Watanabe: Keeping in mind the importance of interacting with people on an individual basis is crucial.

Tao: Do you often attend LGBTQ+ events in Japan?

 Takahashi: I've never really come out, so I haven't attended events much. If I go to events, there might be acquaintances there. So, in the future, if I become more interested in such events and if there are more opportunities to talk to everyone, then I think I'll need to gather information from other countries as well.