September 23, 2018

Akahata 'current' column

Yet again, a monthly magazine is under fire over its latest feature article. The Shincho 45, which in July carried an article by Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Sugita Mio calling LGBT people unproductive and a waste of taxes, is now defending Sugita's statement in the October issue feature.

Some passages in the latest article were so extreme that even the president of Shinchosha Publishing Co., Ltd. had to admit that "there were expressions filled with prejudice and a lack of common sense". One example describes LGBT as "a sexual proclivity" like being a sexual pervert.

Criticism and anger are increasing among Shinchosha workers, bookstores, and writers. Novelist Shono Yoriko and wrtiter Kitahara Minori have voiced their protests against the feature. They severely criticize the Shincho 45 feature for defaming all LGBT people and describing them using deceitful and nasty language.

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo defends Sugita by saying, "She is still young". His sensitivity to human rights comes into question, and those who made statements in defense of Sugita in the Shincho 45 October issue feature are all Abe supporters. They are promoting prejudice and discrimination against sexual minorities. A move to create a society where individuality is not respected is supported by the present government.

Past related articles:
> Cross-party local LGBT lawmakers urge Sugita to apologize for her ‘unproductive’ remark [August 5, 2018]
> LDP lawmaker: Having same-sex relationship is like having a hobby [August 3, 2018]
> LGBT communities protest against LDP lawmaker’s ‘unproductive’ remark [July 25, 2018]
> Sexist LDP lawmaker should apologize or resign: JCP Koike [July 24, 2018]