Japan Press Weekly

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2015 March 4 - 10 [POLITICS]

JCP Ikeuchi pushes gov’t to protect LGBT rights

Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Ikeuchi Saori on March 5 urged the government to increase efforts to protect sexual and gender minorities’ human rights at a Lower House Budget Committee session.

Referring to the fact that in September 2014 the Japanese government voted for a UN resolution banning violence and discrimination against LGBT, she questioned what efforts the administration has made so far.

Foreign Minister Kishida Fumio replied that he will work harder to solve the LGBT issue, saying that it is intolerable to violate the human rights of sexual minorities.

Ikeuchi cited a survey showing that 70% of LGBT children in Japan have experienced bullying and 30% have thought of committing suicide. She pointed out that behind this is a lack of understanding about the problem among adults, including those involved in education.

The education minister said that the ministry is now compiling educational materials on LGBT for public school teachers.

The JCP legislator stressed the importance of working to create a society where everybody can feel pride in their own sexuality as well as respect each other’s differences.


Past related articles:
> Discussion on same-sex marriage has finally begun in Japan [February 23, 2015]
> LGBT community asks for JCP cooperation to create a society based on sexual equality [December 9, 2014]