Japan Press Weekly

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2022 December 7 - 13 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Ainu people demand removal of parliamentary vice minister notorious as hate speech monger

A civil group called the “Citizens’ Alliance for the Examination of Ainu Policy” consisting of Ainu, researchers, and concerned citizens on December 8 sent Prime Minister Kishida Fumio a written request demanding that the parliamentary vice minister for internal affairs, Sugita Mio, who is notorious for her hate speeches against ethnic and sexual minorities be dismissed.

This was revealed at a press conference which the civil group held in the Hokkaido Prefectural office building.

The group’s head Jeff Gayman criticized Sugita’s remarks and behavior as going against the anti-hate speech act and the Ainu policy promotion act. He said that the parliamentary vice minister’s act of attacking racial minorities and opposing sexual diversity, and the Kishida administration’s act of defending Sugita are totally unacceptable. He expressed concern that the Kishida government will be regarded as a racist government at home and abroad.

Kimura Fumio, who heads a local Ainu group working on the issue of Ainu remains stolen from burial sites in Hokkaido, said that he was stunned by Sugita who makes hate speeches in disregard of world movements toward the elimination of racial discrimination. He said that he worries about the fact that as the parliamentary vice minister for internal affairs, Sugita will be in charge of a revision of the Ainu policy promotion law, and demanded the removal and resignation of Sugita.

Past related article:
> Parliamentary vice minister reluctantly retracts past discriminatory remarks [December 4, 2022]