June 21, 2019

As part of efforts to eliminate discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), a citizens’ group on June 20 held a rally in Tokyo.

The rally took place after the Diet last month enacted the anti-workplace harassment law with a supplementary resolution which requires companies to implement measures to prevent acts of SOGI harassment, such as revealing other persons’ sexual orientation without their consent.

Lawmakers from ruling and opposition parties spoke at the rally. Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Motomura Nobuko pointed out that the enactment of the anti-harassment law is a step forward, but it does not provide a clear and unambiguous definition of harassment. Stressing the need to improve the law, Motomura said, “I will do my best to create a society where no one has to conceal their SOGI from their co-workers or neighbors for fear of discrimination.”

A woman participant said that her transgender child has faced and endured discrimination at school and in the workplace. She said that the enactment of the law last month gave some hope to her child and other victims of discrimination.