Among the G7 countries, Japan is the only one without laws in place to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination or to recognize same-sex partnerships. Meanwhile, conservative lawmakers cite the country’s alleged history of tolerance as a reason to reject legislative change. What’s behind this discourse and why is mere tolerance not enough?

In our latest book talk with historian Andrew Orr, we explore the story of an elaborate internet hoax surrounding the (fictional) life of a Syrian-American lesbian woman during the Arab spring. Why were educated and politically engaged westerners so susceptible to believing it?