Japan Press Weekly

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2022 June 29 - July 5 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

LDP booklet: Homosexuality is either mental illness or addiction

Copies of a booklet describing, "Homosexuality as a mental illness or an addiction," were handed out at a Liberal Democratic Party gathering held at a Tokyo hotel.

According to Akahata's first report on July 2, the booklet was distributed on June 13 at a meeting of the parliamentarians' group affiliated with the Shinto Political League which former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo chairs. The group consists of 263 Dietmembers, most of whom are LDP members. The booklet claims, "Therapies to recuperate from homosexuality are expected to be effective."

Japanese Communist Party candidate for the House of Councilors election in the Tokyo constituency, Yamazoe Taku, in his campaign speech on July 4 said, "The LDP discriminates against LGBTQ people, and this is the main reason why the party continues opposing legalization of same-sex marriage and establishment of a selective dual-surname system."

Yamazoe calls for a society where "all individuals can be respected as they are", and adds, "Every issue in every aspect should be dealt with from this viewpoint."