February 7, 2023

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on February 6 at a press conference in the Diet building said, “If Prime Minister Kishida really respects diversity in society, he should work to enact legislation banning LGBTQ discrimination and permit same-sex marriage.”

Koike made this call in regard to the dismissal of PM Kishida’s close aide, Arai Masayoshi, who made discriminatory remarks against sexual minorities and same-sex couples.

Koike pointed out that Arai made controversial remarks in relation to Kishida’s answer given in a Lower House Budget Committee meeting on February 1 that the legalization of gay marriage fundamentally changes society and people’s family values. Koike said, “This indicates that Kishida himself holds outdated family values that deny marriage between two people of the same sex.”

Koike noted that PM Kishida stated that unfair discrimination and prejudice on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity are unacceptable. Koike said, “Not allowing the legalization of same-sex marriage literally constitutes unfair discrimination. Kishida should take necessary action if he is sincere.”

Koike pointed out that the cross-party lawmakers’ move to create a law banning discrimination against sexual minorities met with a setback in 2021 due to fierce backlash from anti-LGBTQ Liberal Democratic Party politicians. He added that Kishida has the responsibility for establishing an LGBT non-discrimination law and achieving a revision of the Civil Code that will realize marriage equality in Japan.