TOKYO ( Associated Press) – LGBTQ rights advocates have condemned a recent discriminatory statement by an aide to Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and are demanding that his government pass laws banning discrimination against sexual minorities. , legalize same-sex marriage and guarantee equal rights before the G7 summit. May in Japan.
Kishida’s aide, Masayoshi Arai, told reporters last week that he does not want to live with LGBTQ people and that many Japanese would flee the country if same-sex marriage was allowed.
Kishida immediately removed Arai from office, but a statement he made last week called into question his attitude toward sexual minorities.
Responding to a question from an opposition lawmaker in parliament, Kishida said the authorization of same-sex marriage was “a matter that should be examined with the utmost care.” The decision required examination of the whole society because “it could change the concept of family and values, as well as society itself.”
At a press conference on Tuesday, LGBTQ activists said Kishida’s misogynistic statements revealed his reluctance to address the issue despite his promises to build an inclusive and diverse society.
“The discriminatory statements of the prime minister’s aide clearly showed to the rest of the world that Japan is a country that does not care about the rights of sexual minorities,” said Takako Uesugi, a lawyer and director of All-Japan Marriage, an organization. One who promotes same-sex marriage.
He stressed that Japan is the only member of the Group of Seven industrialized countries that does not have legislation to protect sexual minorities, saying “Japan is not qualified to lead the G7 summit if we cannot resolve this situation”. don’t.”
