Fumio Kishida dismisses aide for disparaging LGBT people

• Fumio Kishida dismisses cabinet minister for disparaging LGBT couples.
• Arai said he wouldn’t want to live next to or observe people in same-sex relations.
• Also cautioned that allowing gay marriage in Japan would result in many people leaving the nation.

Fumio Kishida, the prime minister of Japan, has dismissed a cabinet minister for disparaging LGBT couples.

According to reports, Masayoshi Arai said he wouldn’t want to live next to or observe people who are in same-sex partnerships.

Mr. Arai also cautioned that allowing gay marriage in Japan would result in many people leaving the nation.

The comments, according to Mr. Kishida, are “outrageous” and “totally irreconcilable” with the goals of his government.

The only G7 countries that does not recognize same-sex marriage is Japan, a society that is still heavily reliant on conventional gender norms and family values.

Recent research, however, indicates that majority Japanese are in favor of gay marriage.

In recent years, a number of same-sex couples have also brought legal claims around Japan, claiming that the prohibition on same-sex unions is unconstitutional.

Mr. Kishida had discussed same-sex marriage-related problems in parliament before Mr. Arai was fired.

He said that because it might have an effect on conventional family arrangements, it needed to be carefully addressed.

In response, Mr. Arai told reporters that he “wouldn’t like it if [LGBT couples] lived next door” and that he “doesn’t even want to look at them.”

According to Media, he stated that it would “alter the way society is” and “quite a few individuals will leave this country.”

In response, Mr. Kishida said he had dismissed Mr. Arai, adding: “We have been respecting diversity and realizing an inclusive society.”

Later, Mr. Arai issued an apology, saying that his comments were inappropriate and did not reflect the views of the prime minister.

His departure is a further setback for Mr. Kishida, whose government has seen its approval ratings sink as a result of several of his ministers resigning in recent months due to different scandals.

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