June 6, 2019

The Japanese Communist Party on June 5 announced that it will include additional policy proposals in its Upper House election platform, aiming at achieving gender equality and respecting individual dignity by eliminating discrimination and division.

The additional policies are: work to promote a society free of gender discrimination; eradicate sexual and domestic violence against women; eliminate all types of harassment, establish a society free of discrimination against LGBTQ people and discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or sexual identity; and build a society where people recognize diversity in nationalities and ethnic groups and live in coexistence.

JCP Vice Chair Tamura Tomoko held a press conference in the Diet building and proposed that an organization, which has a strong mandate and is independent from government authorities, be established to provide relief to victims and tackle employment discrimination.

Tamura also proposed that legal provisions be implemented to punish sex without consent and to place a legal ban on workplace harassment, and that the Civil Code be revised so as to recognize same-sex marriage.

She highlighted the need to oust the Abe government by saying, "We will move forward toward gender equality while respecting individual dignity."

Past related articles:
> Opposition parties affirm common pledges for Upper House election [May 30, 2019]
> JCP publishes Upper House election platform seeking to restore hope in improving people’s livelihoods [May 23, 2019]