Pressure to recognise LGBTQI+ rights in Japan

Pressure is mounting on Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, to recognise LGBTQI+ rights as the country prepares to host the G7 summit in May.

Japan is the only country in the G7 that denies same-sex couples the right to marry, and its conservative Liberal Democratic party has been accused of being trapped in a cycle of intolerance.

Despite creating a new government post responsible for LGBTQI+ rights and meeting equality campaigners, Kishida provoked anger by claiming that legalising same-sex marriage would “fundamentally change society” and challenge traditional family values.

Pressure is coming from both within and outside the country, with the US ambassador to Japan calling for “clear, unambiguous” legislation to protect sexual minorities.

At a Pride 7 summit in Tokyo last week, campaigners called for Japan to enact an anti-discrimination law before it hosts the G7, and end the country’s unenviable status as the only member of the group without a law protecting LGBTQI+ rights.