LDP Warns Party Lawmaker over LGBT Gaffe

August 3, 2018

Tokyo- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has told a party lawmaker to watch her words after she came under fire for calling lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples "unproductive."

In an official party view posted on its website, the LDP said remarks by the lawmaker, Mio Sugita, included an expression that lacked an understanding of the issue and due consideration to people concerned.

In a recent article she contributed to a monthly magazine, Sugita discussed LGBT couples and said: "They do not have children. In other words, they are unproductive."

Sugita, a lawmaker of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, said through her office that she takes the party's warning seriously and will devote herself to training and education.

Speaking to reporters in Higashimatsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Thursday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suggested that Sugita's remarks were inappropriate.

"It stands to reason that we will create a society in which human rights are respected and diversity is respected. This is a policy of the government and ruling camp," Abe said.

Sugita's questionable branding of LGBT couples was followed by controversial remarks from Tom Tanigawa, another LDP lawmaker of the Lower House, who said in a television program aired on Sunday that same-sex affairs are "something like a hobby."

LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai downplayed the gaffe, telling reporters in Seoul that he sees no need to make a big deal out of it.

But in a statement issued later, Nikai said that in line with its policy, the LDP will continue to aim for a society in which sexual diversity is accepted.

Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Komeito, the junior coalition partner of the LDP, told a news conference that Tanigawa needs to reflect carefully on what he said.

Former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba criticized Tanigawa's remarks. At a meeting, he said he does not think that granting him impunity illustrates the generosity of the LDP. What is wrong is wrong, Ishiba said.

Opposition parties in chorus criticized the series of offensive remarks by LDP lawmakers.

The remarks "may be reflecting a latent characteristic of the LDP as an organization," Kohei Otsuka, co-leader of the Democratic Party for the People, said at a news conference.

On the directive the LDP issued to Sugita over her "unproductive" remarks, Yukio Edano, head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, told reporters it was too late. The key is whether Sugita will withdraw her remarks and apologize, Edano said.

Ichiro Matsui, chief of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), said lawmakers should think well before saying something.