Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fires Secretary Over "Dislike of Same-Sex Marriage" Remarks

Despite Apology from the Party, Decision Made in One Day
"Statements Difficult to Reconcile with Policy Recognizing Diversity"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has ultimately dismissed a secretary who made discriminatory remarks about sexual minorities, saying "I hate even seeing same-sex marriage."

On the 4th, Kyodo News reported that Prime Minister Kishida dismissed Secretary Masayoshi Arai in the afternoon. Kishida stated regarding Arai's remarks, "They are statements that are difficult to reconcile with the administration's policy of aiming for a society that mutually recognizes diversity and are outrageous. I feel responsible for the appointment."

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Photo by Yonhap News

Secretary Arai caused controversy when he bluntly said to reporters asking his views on same-sex marriage, "It is a minus. All the secretaries oppose it. I also hate seeing it. I would dislike it if same-sex couples lived around me." He added, "Of course, I respect human rights and values, but deep down, I hate it. If same-sex marriage is recognized, there will be people who abandon the country." When his remarks became controversial, he said, "If it was understood that I hold discriminatory thoughts, I will retract them. I apologize," but he was dismissed. Arai had been working as a prime minister's secretary since October 2021.

The problematic remarks by Secretary Arai came after Prime Minister Kishida expressed his position on legalizing same-sex marriage in the Japanese parliament. Earlier on the 1st, Kishida stated at the House of Representatives Budget Committee that legalizing same-sex marriage is "a task that must be examined very carefully." He also explained the reason for not recognizing same-sex marriage as "because family views, values, and society would change."

In December last year, the Tokyo District Court ruled in a lawsuit related to same-sex marriage that the absence of a legal system for same-sex couples to become family is an "unconstitutional state."