Seventy-two percent of voters believe that Japan should legalize same-sex marriages, compared to 18 percent who opposes such a change, according to a survey conducted on February 18 and 19 by Asahi Shimbun.
Support for the legal recognition of same-sex marriages has increased. In March 2021 a survey conducted in March 2021 showed 65 percent of the vote in favor and 41 percent in February 2015.
Despite the trend, conservative members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party continue to prevent Diet deliberations on the issue. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed cautiousness, saying on February 1 that legalized same-sex marriages is a topic that will change society. According to the nationwide telephone survey, 67 percent of supporters of Kishida's LDP support the legalization of same-sex marriages.
More than half of the respondents, or 51 percent, said that legislation prohibiting discrimination against sexual minorities should be introduced, while 39 percent oppose it.
According to 36 percent of respondents who support legal same-sex marriages, an anti-discrimination law is not necessary.
The survey results showed no significant difference between LDP supporters and other voters on support for LGBT community measures.
Cross-party lawmakers are working on enacting a law to promote an understanding of sexual minorities after discriminatory remarks about LGBT people made by a former aide of Kishida.
In off-the- record remarks to reporters, Masayoshi Arai said he wouldn't want to live next to sexual minorities or even look at them.
He was later fired as the executive secretary-in-charge of media relations for Kishida.
Many sexual minorities have been calling for legislation to ban discrimination against them instead of the law to promote understanding of them.
The survey asked voters if they support anti-discriminatory legislation.