LGBT Understanding Promotion Act

LGBT Understanding Promotion Act
LGBT理解増進法
LGBT rikai zōshin-Hō
National Diet Building
National Diet Building
Diet of Japan
  • An act on Promotion of Public Understanding of Diversity of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
    性的指向及びジェンダーアイデンティティの多様性に関する国民の理解の増進に関する法律
    Seiteki shikō oyobi jendāaidentiti no tayō-sei ni kansuru kokumin no rikai no zōshin ni kansuru Hōritsu
CitationAct No. 68 of June 23, 2023
Territorial extentJapan
Passed byHouse of Representatives
Passed13 June 2023
Passed byHouse of Councillors
Passed16 June 2023
Assented to23 June 2023
Effective23 June 2023
Legislative history
First chamber: House of Representatives
Bill titleLGBT Understanding Promotion Act
Bill citationProposed Act on Promoting Public Understanding of Diversity in Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Introduced byLDP, Komeito
Introduced18 May 2023
Voting summary
  • LDP, JIP, Komeito, DPFP voted for
  • CDP, JCP, Reiwa, SDP voted against
Second chamber: House of Councillors
Bill titleLGBT Understanding Promotion Act
Bill citationPromoting Public Understanding of Diversity in Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Received from the House of Representatives9 June 2023
Voting summary
Summary
  • Establish basic principles regarding the promotion of measures to spread understanding of LGBT individuals and other sexual minorities
  • Clarify the roles of the national and local governments in advancing the promotion of understanding of LGBT individuals
  • Draw up a basic implementation plan to promote understanding of LGBT individuals, and to protect them from "unfair discrimination.”
Status: In force
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The Act on Promotion of Public Understanding of Diversity of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (性的指向及びジェンダーアイデンティティの多様性に関する国民の理解の増進に関する法律),[1] commonly referred to as the LGBT Understanding Promotion Act (LGBT理解増進法)[2] is a Japanese law that establishes basic principles regarding the promotion of measures to broaden understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and other sexual minorities in Japan. The legislation obligates the Japanese government to draw up a basic implementation plan to promote understanding of LGBT people, and to protect them from "unfair discrimination." It also stipulates that government entities, businesses, and schools "need to strive" to take similar action.[3]

The legislation was scheduled to be enacted in concurrent with the 49th G7 summit held in Hiroshima from 19 to 21 May 2023, but after delays the legislation was submitted to the National Diet on 18 May 2023,[4] and enacted on 16 June of the same year[5] after revisions that severely watered-down the legislation,[6] leading to LGBT rights activists and opposition parties criticizing the bill for its ineffectiveness.[7][8] The law went into effect on 23 June 2023.[9]

The legislation was introduced and passed amidst domestic and international pressure, primarily from the United States through U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel.[10][11]

  1. ^ "日本法令索引". hourei.ndl.go.jp. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  2. ^ "LGBT法、当事者「現状後退」 多数派配慮の追加条項に抗議|47NEWS（よんななニュース）". 2023-06-16. Archived from the original on 2023-06-16. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  3. ^ "性的指向及びジェンダーアイデンティティの多様性に関する国民の理解の増進に関する法律 | e-Gov法令検索". elaws.e-gov.go.jp. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  4. ^ "LGBT法案、9日審議入り 自民は与党案採決の構え 成立の公算 | 毎日新聞". 2023-06-10. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  5. ^ "ＬＧＢＴ法、参院本会議で成立 自民の３氏は採決時に退席 – 産経ニュース". 2023-06-16. Archived from the original on 2023-06-16. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  6. ^ "Japan passes watered-down LGBT understanding bill". CNN. Reuters. 2023-06-16. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  7. ^ Frühstück, Sabine (2023-06-17). "Watered-down LGBTQ 'understanding' bill shows how far Japan's parliament is out of step with its society – and history". The Conversation. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  8. ^ NEWS, KYODO. "FOCUS: Japan LGBT law watered down amid culture war on transgender issues". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  9. ^ "ＬＧＢＴ法施行 内閣府に担当部署１１人で新設 – 産経ニュース". 2023-06-28. Archived from the original on 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  10. ^ "U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel has "full confidence" Japan will ban LGBTQ discrimination – CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-02-15. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  11. ^ "Japan launches G-7 focus group for LGBTQ rights ahead of summit". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2024-03-21.