Comparison of gay neighbourhoods in Japanese and Taiwanese cities

Assistant Professor Seiji Susaki, from the Faculty of Geo-Environmental Science at Rissho University in Japan, is exploring the transformation of gay neighbourhoods (gaybourhoods) in cities in Japan and Taiwan. These have been formed by sexual minority identities and communities. In recent years, however, redevelopment and gentrification in such areas have forced some LGBTQ+ people to move to more suburban areas. According to examples from English-speaking countries, gaybourhoods are forced to transform by capital and social conditions. Susaki’s latest work concerns the transformation of gaybourhoods in cities in Japan and Taiwan. He believes these cities undergo a different transformation process compared to cities in English-speaking cities and wants to investigate this hypothesis. A model created by Alan Collins and Brad Ruting of the formation of gaybourhoods in English-speaking countries provides a useful perspective for research on gaybourhoods in English-speaking countries but Susaki believes it is important to explore whether gaybourhoods in Asia also fit the model of the formation and transformation of gaybourhoods in English-speaking countries. By shedding light on the complex combination of factors contributing to the formation of gaybourhoods, Susaki wants to enhance the feasibility of research for researchers who want to conduct research on sexuality and urban space. This is important as there are very few studies linking sexuality and urban space in Japan.