![]() ![]() ![]() Since the last pre-pandemic Pride parade in 2019, the number of Japanese municipalities allowing same-sex couples to enter partnership agreements has surged from 26 to around 300, covering some 65% of the population. Masako Mori, a special adviser to Kishida on LGBTQ affairs, attended, but did not mention same-sex marriage in brief remarks before the parade began, instead urging "greater understanding of LGBTQ."Ĭrowds lined the sidewalks, waving rainbow flags and shouting "Happy Pride" at marchers, who included a group from Taiwan - the only Asian nation with same-sex marriage. "I think the government is both pretending to see us and pretending not to, but that change will really start happening from here on in." We will fight until the entire country has same-sex marriage," said Himama, sporting a pink-dyed goatee and declining to give his real name out of consideration for family members. Participants said they realised how their nation lagged the rest of the G7 but were hopeful of change. Organisers estimated 10,000 people marched in Sunday's parade in the downtown Shibuya district. TOKYO, April 23 (Reuters) - (This April 23 story has been corrected to say 'unions,' not 'marriage,' as G7 member Italy recognises the former and not the latter, in paragraph 2)Ĭheering, flag-waving crowds gathered in Tokyo on Sunday for the first full Pride parade in four years, celebrating advances in LGBTQ rights but demanding Japan join other advanced nations in legally recognising same-sex marriage.Ĭhange is slow in Japan, which hosts a summit next month of the Group of Seven industrial powers as the only member of the G7 that does not recognise same-sex unions.īut growing support from the nation's top business lobby and major companies is putting pressure on the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his conservative ruling party.
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