This is why many LDP lawmakers have been reluctant to devote resources to crafting LGBT legislation as it would potentially benefit their political opponents, Komiya added.Īlthough Kishida leads a dovish faction within the right-leaning LDP, he is not as progressive as opposition lawmakers and does not seem willing to make LGBT rights a priority, Komiya said. Hitoshi Komiya, a professor of Japanese political history at Aoyama Gakuin University, said the LDP's support base comes from those who value traditional family values, while those who are open and accepting of LGBT people lean toward supporting opposition parties. Media polls have shown that public opinion has shifted toward accepting same-sex marriage, but political experts said Kishida remains cautious about the LGBT issue for fear of splitting his ruling party by upsetting its conservative members. The treatment of sexual minorities has been in focus since Kishida sacked one of his executive secretaries in February after he said he would 'not want to live next door' to an LGBT couple and does 'not even want to look at them.' A survey by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development showed the nation ranked 34th out of 35 countries in terms of LGBT inclusion legislation in 2019, down from 22nd in 1999. Japan has a poor track record on the issue. With the G-7 summit set to get underway in Kishida's home constituency of Hiroshima in less than three weeks, his ruling Liberal Democratic Party has restarted a debate over a bill aimed at bringing in legislation promoting understanding of the LGBT community.īut it is unclear whether such a law will be enacted before the international gathering amid deep-rooted opposition among conservative LDP members who cherish so-called traditional family values in which men are the main breadwinners and women primarily raise children.Įven if the envisioned legislation is put into force, Japan would still lag behind other G-7 nations that have already instituted laws prohibiting discrimination against sexual minorities and legalizing same-sex marriage or civil unions. After his former close aide made discriminatory remarks against sexual minorities earlier this year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been under mounting pressure to pass a law to protect Japan's LGBT community, with the Asian country lagging behind other G-7 members on the issue.

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