Japan remains the only country in the G7 that doesn't recognize same-sex unions. We speak to campaigner and law professor Ken Suzuki about why Japan's LGBTQ+ rights record is lagging behind.
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00:00What's the current state of LGBTQ rights in Japan?
00:30The discussion on the LGBT issue is very hot, and young people are very concerned about it.
00:40The media also often reports on it, and related dramas, movies, works of art, novels, etc. are very popular.
00:51But what we need to pay attention to is transgender. This phenomenon is very obvious, especially in the online space.
01:00Why is Japan the last G7 nation to legalize same-sex marriage?
01:04Because it is difficult for political parties to take over Japan.
01:08Japan has always been a conservative power, so it is difficult to change the current situation.
01:17In a sense, Japan's democratic mechanism is not functioning properly.
01:23How close is Japan to legalizing same-sex marriage?
01:27It is very difficult to push for the legislation. This is very obvious.
01:32Because the conservative forces led by the Liberal Democratic Party are strongly opposed to same-sex marriage,
01:39in order to preserve their so-called traditional values.
01:46Although the progress of the legislation is not ideal,
01:50there have been several trials by the Supreme Court.
01:56The Supreme Court's attitude towards the LGBT issue is more open and friendly.
02:05It has made several critical judgments.
02:08In the near future, the legislature will need to make some adjustments.
02:18The same-sex marriage issue is also the case.
02:21In three years' time, I think there is hope to make critical judgments.
02:26In this way, Congress will have to legislate.