Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is facing opposition to a proposed law that would promote understanding of LGBTQ people. The law, which would require the government to craft a basic plan to promote public understanding of LGBTQ people, was drafted by a suprapartisan group of lawmakers in 2021. However, it was put on hold after conservative LDP lawmakers objected to a clause in the legislation that said discrimination against LGBTQ people would not be tolerated. These LDP lawmakers complained that the wording could lead to an increase in anti-discrimination lawsuits.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called on his party’s leadership to promote discussions on the law after he came under fire in the wake of discriminatory remarks against LGBTQ people by one of his key aides. However, the LDP leadership remains cautious about starting discussions on an LGBTQ law at an early date, concerned that such a move will fuel tensions between proponents and opponents within the party ahead of April’s unified local elections and national by-elections.
Some LDP members are trying to reach a compromise by changing the controversial clause to one that denounces unjustifiable discrimination against LGBTQ people. But conservative members oppose any wording. Proponents, including former LDP policy chief Tomomi Inada, met with current policy chief Koichi Hagiuda on Feb. 17, but no conclusion was reached over when to start discussions on the bill.
The LDP leadership is trying to find a compromise over the wording of the bill that is acceptable to both proponents and opponents. But opposition parties may reject such a compromise. Katsuya Okada, secretary-general of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said last Monday that “there is no need to change the wording at all.” The delay in passing the law is raising concerns about discrimination against the LGBTQ community and the potential for anti-discrimination lawsuits.
