Japan Press Weekly

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2018 August 1 - 7 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

LDP lawmaker: Having same-sex relationship is like having a hobby

It has come to light that Liberal Democratic Party member of the House of Representatives Tanigawa Tomu on an Internet TV program said that having same-sex relationships is “like having a hobby”.

Tanigawa appeared on a TV program streamed by the web broadcaster “Abema TV” on July 29. One of the topics brought up in the program was a question as to whether legislation to approve same-sex marriage is necessary. Tanigawa said, “There is no need to introduce such legislation. Same-sex marriage is like having a hobby,” and added, “I can’t see the point in creating a law enabling homosexual and lesbian couples to wed.”

Tanigawa also said, “A man and a woman get married, have a child, and form a family. That has been the way to prevent the nation from shrinking in size from far back in the past.” This reveals Tanigawa’s weird view that people should marry with opposite-sex partners and have babies to serve their nation, which contradicts the idea that marriage is based only on the consent of individuals.

Concerning Tanigawa’s remarks, LDP Secretary General Nikai Toshihiro on August 2 during his visit to Seoul said to the press, “It is no use making a big deal out of it,” suggesting that there is no problem with the remark.

Just the other day, LDP Lower House member Sugita Mio came under fire due to a magazine article in which she wrote that same-sex couples are “unproductive”. LDP lawmakers keep making remarks discriminating against LGBT people and denying their right to self-determination.

Past related articles:
> LGBT communities protest against LDP lawmaker’s ‘unproductive’ remark [July 25, 2018]
> Sexist LDP lawmaker should apologize or resign: JCP Koike [July 24, 2018]