In Nagata-cho, one hears unbelievable stories such as "LGBT (sexual minorities) becoming a political issue. On February 15, LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi said, "It would be desirable to submit (LGBT legislation) to the Diet as soon as possible.
In response to this news, I tweeted, "Constitutional reform should come first." Still, I am finally beginning to worry about the future of the LDP without former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
NHK's online article on Motegi's remarks reads as follows.
The LDP is seeking to revise the phrase "it will not tolerate discrimination," which has been the subject of strong opposition among some in the party..."
Reading this passage reminded me of a conversation I had with Mr. Abe one day "two years ago.
In the early summer of 2021, I visited Mr. Abe's office in the Diet building. As usual, I was ushered into his office, not the reception room.
At that time, Mr. Abe broached a subject that had nothing to do with my interview.
It was about the LDP's controversial LGBT bill.
He said, "This is no longer a movement to eliminate prejudice against LGBT people, but a global political struggle. People should know what is happening to teenagers in the United States."
As always, I was struck by Abe's breadth of insight.
In some parts of the U.S., it is now "fashionable" for teenagers to come out (i.e., disclose) their "unique gender identity" and live according to their "inner gender.
For example, a girl who is physically a girl likes to wear boyish clothes and play rough sports.
She may even begin to yearn for a girl and say, "I feel like I'm different from other girls. Maybe I'm not a girl."
She says it gets more robust, "I was a man."
If only a come-out were enough, but when they start saying, "I want to change my name," parents cannot stop their children.
Furthermore, if a teenager says, "I want to change my body, too," and wants hormone injections, it is not easy for parents to stop them.
Many adults in Japan need to be made aware of the current situation in other countries.
Most LDP lawmakers are probably aware of this situation to the extent that they say, "Discrimination and prejudice are wrong."
Mr. Abe, however, knew better.
He said, "It's pretty standard for adolescents to have a crush on someone of the same sex. In addition, it is a time when interest in sex is extreme. So I think teaching them about same-sex relationships in school is a bit much."
When I reveal this story, proponents of the LGBT law will probably argue that the bill says nothing of the sort.
However, Mr. Abe spoke of a concern about "an ant hole."
To be clear, Mr. Abe did not have the slightest prejudice against homosexuals or transgender people.
However, Mr. Abe was concerned that it would unnecessarily destroy the social order, and children would be the victims.
He also spoke of the "dangers of gender identity."
When I pointed Abe to an incident where a man who was "a woman at heart" entered a women's spa, he said, "Such incidents may occur in the future. Regardless of adults, the emotional wounds that children who encounter that place are deeply hurt."
He said, "That kind of thing could happen in the future. The trauma to the children who encounter such an incident, let alone the adults, will be profound.
He also expressed concern that the bill could become a reincarnation of the former Human Rights Protection Act.
Discrimination," which has yet to be defined, will take on a life of its own, and the "ban on discrimination" will be used as a cudgel to beat up the people's inner freedom of mind.
To the proponents of the LGBT law within the Liberal Democratic Party, what is the valid reason for pushing for the LGBT law in a country that has been tolerant of homosexuality since ancient times?
Shouldn't the top priority now be the revision of the Constitution, Mr. Abe's long-cherished wish?
Ms. Kaori Arimoto is a journalist. Born in Nara City in 1962, she graduated from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. After working as editor-in-chief of a travel magazine and in corporate public relations, she became independent. She has reported and written on international relations and Japanese politics. Author and co-author of many books, including "China's 'Japan Takeover' Plan" (WACK), "The Truth of 'Koike Gekijo'" (Gentosha Bunko), and others.
