Image via PinkNews.

Taiga Ishikawa has become the first openly gay politician to win an election in Japan. He has won a seat in a Tokyo ward assembly in local elections and has called his victory a win for the rights of sexual minorities.

“I hope my election victory will help our fellows nationwide to have hope for tomorrow, as many of them cannot accept themselves, feel lonely and isolated, and even commit suicide,” he told AFP. “As a ward assembly member, I would like to reinforce support to LGBT children at schools,” he added.

Ishikawa revealed his sexuality in his autobiography “Boku No Kareshi Wa Doko Ni Iru” (Where Is My Boyfriend?),” which was released in 2002.