LGBTQ groups demand Japan adopts same-sex marriage law before G7

Representatives of Japanese LGBTQ people and rights groups, pose for photographers during a press conference(Eugene Hoshiko/PA)

Japanese LGBTQ people have condemned a discriminatory remark by a senior aide of prime minister Fumio Kishida, demanding his government enact laws to ban discrimination against sexual minorities, legalise same-sex marriage and guarantee equal rights before Japan hosts a Group of Seven summit in May.

Their comments followed remarks last week by Mr Kishida’s aide Masayoshi Arai, who was sacked after telling reporters he wouldn’t want to live next to LGBTQ people and that citizens would flee Japan if same-sex marriage was allowed.