Japan Prime Minister fires aide who said he would not want to live next to gay people
Fumio Kirishida, Japan’s Prime Minister has fired an aide to the government who made disparaging remarks about LGBT couples.
Kishida had discussed issues surrounding same-sex marital relationships in parliament. He stated that it was important to carefully consider the potential effects on traditional family structures before allowing same-sex married.
Arai responded to the comments by telling reporters that he wouldn’t like it if [LGBT] couples lived next door and that he doesn’t want to even look at them.
He added that it would “change the way society is” and “quite a few people would abandon this country,” according to Kyodo News.
In response, Kishida said he had dismissed Arai, adding: “We have been respecting diversity and realizing an inclusive society.”
Kishida stated that the comments were “outrageous”, and “completely incompatible ” with his government’s policies.
Arai later apologized, stating that his remarks were not appropriate and were not representative of the prime minister’s views.
Japan is a country still largely bound by traditional gender roles and family values and is the only G7 nation that does not recognize same-sex marriage although recent polling suggests most Japanese people are now in support of gay marriage.
Also, a number of same-sex couples have also filed lawsuits across Japan in recent years arguing that the ban on same-sex marriage violates the country’s constitution.
