Japan's new prime minister Sanae Takaichi opposes equal marriage

"In 2023, while discussing Japan's LGBT Understanding Promotion law, which seeks to avoid "unfair discrimination" of queer people, Takaichi said: "There should be no prejudice against sexual orientation and gender identity." However, this is at odds with her statements elsewhere, when she described gay marriage as a "very difficult problem"."

"Takaichi is also opposed to women keeping their maiden names after getting married, despite using her own during her two marriages to Liberal Democratic colleague Taku Yamamoto. Allowing wedded couples to use different surnames could "destroy the social structure based on family units", she said."

"Homosexuality is legal in Japan but the country lags behind when it comes to a ban on conversion therapy, as well as not recognising same-sex marriages. Equaldex reported that recent polling shows the Japanese public are broadly supportive of LGBTQ+ rights. A survey in 2023 revealed that 72 per cent of respondents supported gay marriage."

"Japan is the only G7 country where same-sex marriage hasn't been legalised, although courts in the country have ruled a ban unconstitutional. Same-sex couples can have civil unions but can't inherit each other's assets or adopt. Hospital visits where one of them is either dying or in a critical condition are not usually permitted because the partner is not legally recognised as a family member."

Sanae Takaichi became Japan's first female prime minister after an overwhelming parliamentary vote on 21 October. She leads the Liberal Democratic Party and is the fourth person to hold the premiership since Shinzo Abe resigned in 2020. Known as "Japan's Iron Lady," she admires Margaret Thatcher and holds staunch conservative positions, including opposition to same-sex marriage and to women keeping maiden names after marriage. She said there should be no prejudice against sexual orientation but also described gay marriage as a "very difficult problem." Japan remains the only G7 country without legalized same-sex marriage and lacks a ban on conversion therapy, while polls show strong public support for gay marriage.

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