Awareness and support for Japan’s sexual minorities have steadily increased over the years, but some politicians have no qualms flaunting their anti-LGBT sentiments. Whether out of ignorance or just plain bigotry, quite a few politicians have blamed sexual minorities for Japan’s declining birth rate. Sugito Mio made that mistake in 2018 and sparked a flurry of protests. And now, two other local politicians are in the negative spotlight for their blatantly bigoted comments.
Adachi Ward Will “Cease to Exist”
Just last month, Liberal Democratic Party member Shiraishi Masateru (白石正輝) echoed Mio’s sentiments when he insinuated at a September meeting in Adachi Ward that LGBT people are to blame for the country’s declining birth rate, and protecting their rights would spell the end for Adachi Ward. In early October he told Kyodo News he had no intention of apologizing. However, he later recanted his statements and publicly apologized in the face of a huge outcry of criticism.
Not everyone is buying his apology. NPO Rainbow Action stated in a blog post they do not accept his apology, calling it superficial and insincere.
Twitter users took to the hashtag #私たちはここにいる (“We’re Here, Too”) to share photos and comment on Shiraishi’s baseless fears. “Mitoya City in Kawaga Prefecture hasn’t gone to ruin. I think you’ll be all right,” tweeted @zen916.
“There’s No LGBT Discrimination”
The latest politician to come under fire is councilor Inoue Eiji (井上英治) of Kasukabe in Saitama Prefecture. He claimed at a September assembly meeting that the city “tolerates” LGBT people and that there was no LGBT discrimination in Kasukabe City. His proof? The city school board has reported zero cases of LGBT bullying for the past three years.
Not only is this an incredibly ignorant comment, but it’s also a pretty flimsy foundation to build a claim on. As HuffPost Japan writer Kanizaki Machi (國崎万智) so succinctly put it, “The ‘lack of consultations related to LGBT bullying’ does not equate to ‘discrimination doesn’t exist.'” (「LGBTに関するいじめ相談がない」ことと「差別が存在しない」ことはイコールではない。)
The Kasukabe City Council voted in favor of a petition for the establishment of a “partnership system” for sexual minorities. But Inoue said there was no need for a support system.
小学生にレズビアンだとかゲイだとか、教える必要あるんですか？学校は分数だとか漢字だとか、もっとやることいっぱいあるじゃないですか
“Is it really necessary to teach elementary school kids what lesbians and gays and such are? Don’t they already have enough to do in school, like learning fractions and kanji?”
Kusakabe City councilman Inoue Eiji
Like with Shiraishi, the backlash was instantaneous. User @bean_Lith_Ot took issue with Inoue’s comments on LGBT education, saying, “It’s a fact that even in elementary school, there exist ‘lesbians and gays and such.'” @nana77rey1 tweeted: “I’m surprised he didn’t learn anything from the Adachi Ward assemblyman’s circumstances. This Inoue councilman should most definitely resign.”
Unlike Shiraishi, Inoue is sticking to his guns. When interviewed by Fuji News Network, Inoue said he had no intention to discriminate and then went on to state that extending equal rights to same-sex couples would “destroy society’s morals.” The Rainbow Saitama Association is demanding an official apology from Inoue. The Kasukabe City Council issued a statement on October 30 stating their support for the petition. But they also said that it would be difficult to rescind Inoue’s statements since the council is not in session.
Even if Inoue releases an official apology, I doubt it would be enough to smooth down the feathers he’s ruffled with his bigotry. People are becoming less tolerant of politicians and popular figures who make inflammatory and discriminatory statements. This is no exception. Conditions and laws for LGBT people in Japan are slowly improving. But these politicians’ blatant remarks show there’s a long way to go in regards to education and support.
