Books

Defying Unjust Pressure: 'Irreversible Damage' Transgender Book Publishing to Proceed

The Sankei Shimbun will publish the American bestseller, 'Irreversible Damage' in Japanese after KADOKAWA withdrew it in late 2023 due to protests.

Published

2 months ago

March 6, 2024

The Sankei Shimbun

Book cover of "Irreversible Damage," by Abigail Shrier.

The American book "Irreversible Damage," which investigates the reality of transgender individuals whose mental and physical genders do not align, is set to be published in early April by Sankei Shimbun Publications Inc. The Japanese title is yet to be determined.

The book was originally scheduled for translation and release by the major publishing house KADOKAWA at the end of 2023. At that time, Kadokawa had translated the title as "That Child Also Became Transgender: The Tragedy of the Gender Transition Boom Spreading on Social Media."

However, there was a strong outpouring of criticism claiming the book "encourages discrimination against transgender individuals." For that reason and anticipating protest gatherings in front of its headquarters, Kadokawa canceled the publication just before its release.

Members of the Josei no Kenri to Songen wo Torimodosu Kai (association for reclaiming women's rights and dignity) demand the publication of "Irreversible Damage" in front of KADOKAWA’s headquarters in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (©Sankei)

Sankei Shimbun Publications took the position that the content is something that many people should read. It also questioned the situation where a bestseller from the United States cannot be published in Japan. In a statement, it said: "Without yielding to undue pressure, we have decided to proceed with the publication." The company has already received protest letters and threatening messages through social media channels.

Irreversible Damage is a non-fiction work by American journalist Abigail Shrier. It introduces the situation in the United States where gender changes can be easily made and covers interviews with girls who regret irreversible damage caused by surgery and other means.

Originally released in the United States in 2020, the book became a hit and has since been translated and published in nine languages, including French, German, and Spanish.