Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is facing backlash from the LGBTQ community after stating that Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage is not discriminatory. This statement comes weeks after he apologized for homophobic comments made by a former aide who has since been sacked. Despite growing public support for same-sex marriage in Japan, the country remains the only G7 nation that does not recognize such unions.
During a recent parliamentary session, Kishida was asked by an opposition lawmaker if the ban on same-sex marriage constituted discrimination, to which he responded: “I don’t think disallowing same-sex couples to marry is unjust discrimination by the state.” This statement has been met with criticism from LGBTQ groups who accuse Kishida of backpedaling on his recent commitments to improve LGBTQ rights.
Following the controversial statement, Kishida reiterated his position that a ban on same-sex marriage is “not unconstitutional” but clarified that his stance should not be seen as a form of discrimination. Local LGBTQ groups argue that Kishida’s comments contradict his actions, pointing to his recent meeting with LGBTQ activists, his appointment of a special aide for LGBTQ issues, and his promise to consider a new bill.
The public attitude towards same-sex marriage in Japan has shifted in recent years, with a recent poll showing that two-thirds of voters support legalizing same-sex marriage. However, the country’s laws have yet to catch up, with some couples challenging the ban in court. While a Tokyo court upheld the ban on same-sex marriage in November 2022, it also acknowledged that the denial of legal protections to same-sex couples was discriminatory.
As Japan prepares to host the next G7 meeting in May, the country is facing mounting pressure from its peers to improve LGBTQ rights. While some progress has been made in Asia, Taiwan remains the only territory in the region that recognizes same-sex marriage. As Japan’s LGBTQ community continues to advocate for their rights, the question remains whether the country’s leaders will listen and take action to address discrimination.