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5 foreign chambers of commerce in Japan urge gov't to legalize same-sex marriage

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Ah, those pesky foreigners are sticking their nose into Japanese business again. You can bet this plea will go away quickly with little or no acknowledgement.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Chambers of commerce or chambers of sex ?

I don't understand why they give their standpoint while no link with business at all ..

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

"It's a wonderful opportunity to showcase to the world, the inclusive Japan," said Nancy Ngou, a treasurer of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, referring to an increasing number of foreign tourists to Japan, the upcoming Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Wow...."inclusive" coming from the mouth of an American? In these day's of American isolationist policies? And a government that literally wants to kick folks out?

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Jonathan PrinToday  07:34 am JST

Chambers of commerce or chambers of sex ?

I don't understand why they give their standpoint while no link with business at all ..

Businesses hire people. Some people want to get married, and some of those want to get married to people of the same sex. When employees don't have equal rights under law, they don't do their best work and business suffers. Why is this hard to understand?

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Again with foreigners demanding something. They always have something to complain about. Japan should set example in this,Japan should do that and this......etc. They should at least find some larger support from the locals itself than to pressure us to give in to their demand. The public should at least get to have a say in this right? It feel like being force upon on and i don’t like it. I don’t mind having same sex marriage, but not the way how they demand it from us.

They clearly use that stupid excuse about the Olympic to pressure us. This is clearly butting in into our nation politics. They should have handle it more with care. Show us respect and we will to the same to you.

-9 ( +8 / -17 )

It's a wonderful opportunity to showcase to the world, the inclusive Japan

Yeah but.. it's not inclusive. It's not inclusive at all, in fact, it's the opposite of being inclusive.

But to their point, it would be wonderful to portray that positive image, and it doesn't have to be true either, i mean, look at England. They are just as exclusive and closed as Japan is, yet they have managed to portray a very positive image of themselves. Japan should definitely learn from them.

By the way, why is gay marriage illegal in Japan? In Europe and America it's for religious reasons, but what about Japan?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Again with foreigners demanding something.

Nobody's demanding anything. Did you read the article?

12 ( +15 / -3 )

Yes, those pesky foreigners and their strange ways. Like Democracy and giving the vote to women. Terrible things they are. Wish they would mind their own business.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

@ILoveCoffee The Japanese constitution was written by Americans. Article 24, Paragraph 1, says marriage is an agreement between "both sexes" (両性の合意) when deciding to get married. This was in the context of stopping forced marriages by parents, and gay marriage was not on their mind.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Totally gay gokai wants to marry his partner of almost 20 years (we met in junior high). But I'm afraid that if there is a change, it will look like it is because of outside foreign pressure, not because of an internal change of heart.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

.......aid in their joint viewpoint that marriage equality should strengthen the international competitiveness of businesses in Japan by allowing them to recruit talent from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities worldwide.

"Opening marriage to LGBT couples would help to level the international playing field for companies in Japan," the viewpoint said.

Really? A measurable strengthening of their international competitiveness gained by employing LGBT people? Just how many LGBT people with the appropriate skills do they think are wanting to work in Japan but feel that they can't because their gay marriage isn't recognised in Japan?

Someone is dreaming or has an agenda.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

said in their joint viewpoint that marriage equality should strengthen the international competitiveness of businesses in Japan by allowing them to recruit talent from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities worldwide.

Nose piercings and rings, nipple rings, 5 different ear rings in one ear, tattoos everywhere; NOT

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

I count 6 countries but the title says 5, what gives?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Australia and New Zealand form one chamber of commerce.

I don't understand why they give their standpoint while no link with business at all ...

I personally know of several cases where major companies wanted to send their best and brightest to help run the Japan entity or to introduce the latest innovations or knowledge, but the employee declined or left early because they're spouse couldn't get a visa.

Also know of highly talented Japanese who have moved abroad so that they could marry and live with the partner of their choice.

Cities and wards are starting to get it, which is nice. That shows grass-roots Japanese desire for acceptance, but until the national government recognizes same-sex marriage, the spouse visa will not be available and talented people will leave or just never arrive.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Tomorrow is Premiun Friday and equality will sadly go the way of Premium Friday. There is not a chance that the diet, 70 year old men are going to do anything to catch up. As usual they will make a system so complex that it's worthless. But claim it's on the books.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It is always improper for other nations to point fingers at Japan. Japanese can handle the situation: men are not women, as simple as that. But, all views are respected, not exaggerated.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I personally know of several cases where major companies wanted to send their best and brightest to help run the Japan entity or to introduce the latest innovations or knowledge, but the employee declined or left early because they're spouse couldn't get a visa.

For you to know of so many cases of this most unusual situation is very, impressive. What was the primary reason that the majority of spouse visas were refused?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

IloveCoffee:

By the way, why is gay marriage illegal in Japan? In Europe and America it's for religious reasons, but what about Japan?

I believe that this is because Japan's, and many other nation's, marriage laws were originally framed upon the government's interest in recognizing and protecting the natural, nuclear family as the foundation of society.

Until recently, almost every civilization and nation held this viewpoint whether religious or not.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The public should at least get to have a say in this right?

Hiro, discussed this issue with Japanese people a few times and not come across a person against gay marriage - even an elderly guy who found homosexuality highly distasteful was in favour of the marriage. I think the Japanese public are fine with the issue, it's just the homophobes in the LDP who don't like it.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

One of the very interesting angles on this issue is that it does highlight the challenges for couples that are long term couples who are not married.

Whether they be heterosexual or same-sex couples.

And whether they be foreigners seeking move to Japan under a work visa (and accompany spouse / dependent visa) or those already residing in Japan.

So much in society is driven by marital status. And this is where laws and regulations have not caught up with social norms.

The issue confronting same-sex couples from overseas wishing to move to Japan for work reasons (for one of the partners) is the same issue confronting a long-term heterosexual couple who has chosen never to get married.

So, while this article is focused on the issues confronting same-sex couples, this is by no means an issue limited to just that segment of the community.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Marriage is about relationship. As long as people love people, it is a good thing. However, govt /nation do have their sovereign power to define their own values.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Perhaps the Japanese can respond to this request like this.....

"Sure, we'll amend our marriage laws to reflect your progressive Western values in exchange for your country to amend such and such laws to reflect our values."

Let's see how well that goes down.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I don't think Britain should be telling any other country about how to hand out spouse visas.

More non-EU spouses of British citizens will be kept out of the country by onerous requirements (i.e., xenophobia) than gay spouses are kept out of Japan by homophobia. The number is in the tens of thousands.

Once Brexit is in, the same may happen to EU spouses.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Maybe Bert and Ernie can convince the LDP.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

If the chambers of commerce of those five English-speaking countries truly believe that “marriage equality should strengthen the international competitiveness of business”, do the same in China where they have invested far more than in Japan.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The "love that dare not speak it's name" is now shouting it from the rooftops!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

But to their point, it would be wonderful to portray that positive image, and it doesn't have to be true either, i mean, look at England. They are just as exclusive and closed as Japan is, yet they have managed to portray a very positive image of themselves. Japan should definitely learn from them.

Do you mean England only or the UK as a whole? Scotland is a lot more progressive than England, more outward looking, but that's not to say we as the UK are not welcoming.

Back to the story, and I don't think the Chambers of Commerce are trying to force Japan to change - I think it's a suggestion. Japan wants to be seen as a progressive society, yes? So why not hold a national referendum? Abide by the result (whichever way it goes).

1 ( +2 / -1 )

 Japan wants to be seen as a progressive society, yes?

NO.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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