LDP member's same-sex comment condemned as homophobic

Sorry not sorry, still doesn't understand.

Takeshita, 71, said Thursday evening he was "opposed" to having same-sex partners at the banquet table with the emperor and empress because it "doesn't fit with Japan's traditions."

Really now? Better to have folks who run around cheating on their opposite sex partners, reading porn magazines at conbini, or getting washed off at a local soapland type of guest instead!

I would suggest that, at least for the same sex couples I personally know, they have higher morals, and ethic standards than this butt-head!

He is right, it does not correspond with the Japanese traditions.

To let someone be a guest or not is, however, a decision made by the hosts, meaning the Emperor himself. And I doubt he would sign under such a stupid decision. He had all the time in the world to stop hating on others. Too bad politicians can't take a moment to do the same.

LDP General Council Chairman Wataru Takeshita later expressed his regret but did not retract the comment

So what is he regretful about, then? Oh, that's right, it was regretful that this was picked up by the media and so many other people.

Wataru Takeshita

Another day, another elderly Nippon Kaigi throwback with his head in 1930.

I've tweeted his comment, so it's getting out there. Too late for it not to become international, though it won't be much of an issue beyond a mere embarrassment for the LDP. Still, might help a little if it makes the rounds and causes a stir -- that's the only thing that changes politics in Japan; how they are viewed by people outside.

A moronic comment, but the silver lining here is the massive backlash from the Japanese public. It means that attitudes are positively changing at a very fast rate

minority trying to change the world of the majority

I'd like to see him say that just before the Olympics? As LGBT make up 10% of the worlds population, he would be front page news around the world.

The couple have no children, having undergone unsuccessful fertility treatments earlier in their marriage

@Daniel Naumoff

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_in_Japan

Homosexuality was common in Japan between monks or samurais.

Anyway, since when are same sex relations a "tradition" ?

If the partner is not invited, the guest don't need to go.

Bigot.

Takeshita, 71, said Thursday evening he was "opposed" to having same-sex partners at the banquet table with the emperor and empress because it "doesn't fit with Japan's traditions."

Evidently Takeshita does not know anything about Japanese traditions. Before modernization, gay/bisexual relations were common, as is particularly well documented among the samurai. Read about Saigo Takamori for example (you can see his statue at Ueno Park). And remind me again what the "liberal" in LDP means.

PS Mr. Takeshita, not knowing about Japanese custom, look up the ancient meaning of the word 稚児.

He should be forced to be the front man in a Gay-pride!!;)

The sound of a dinosaur breaking wind to kick the weekend off.

Well, remove gays, remove this, remove that..... and that. and you’re left with the perfect situation. One where performers and non performers are rewarded equally. One where some people thrive.

I miss the good ol days when sex was thought of as a means of reproducing, unlike today where it is seen as a mere pleasure of the flesh. Love is love. If youre gay, good for you! Be merry and don't break the law.

As far as the state level is concerned, probably don't want to promote mental disorders

someone who values diversity, I want Japan to be somewhere where any sort of person can live freely."

Buddy you're in the wrong political party

Takeshita, 71, said Thursday evening he was "opposed" to having same-sex partners at the banquet table with the emperor and empress because it "doesn't fit with Japan's traditions."

Ok. Lets see.

*Nanshoku*** relationships inside monasteries were typically pederastic: an age-structured relationship where the younger partner is not considered adult. The older partner, or nenja (念者"lover" or "admirer"), would be a monk, priest or abbot, while the younger partner was assumed to be an acolyte (稚児, chigo), who would be a prepubescent or adolescent boy;[6] the relationship would be dissolved once the boy reached adulthood (or left the monastery). Both parties were encouraged to treat the relationship seriously and conduct the affair honorably, and the nenja might be required to write a formal vow of fidelity.[7] Outside of the monasteries, monks were considered to have a particular predilection for male prostitutes, which was the subject of much ribald humor.[8]**

During the Tokugawa period, some of the Shinto gods, especially Hachiman, Myoshin, Shinmei and Tenjin, "came to be seen as guardian deities of **nanshoku" (male–male love).[10] Tokugawa-era writer Ihara Saikaku joked that since there are no women for the first three generations in the genealogy of the gods found in the Nihon Shoki, the gods must have enjoyed homosexual relationships—which Saikaku argued was the real origin of nanshoku.[10]**

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_in_Japan

Lets also not forget that Matsuo Basho, Japan's MOST CELEBRATED poet wrote ALOT about homosexual love and had taken homosexual lovers.

Even if he is a dinosaur and old fashioned, I' d like to input some sense:

this politician issued an opinion, not a rant

if it is modern to accept gay sex and to free every's one right but it must be discussed when a right not yet implemented in Japan to be used in front of others all the more so as it would be to the Emperor and Empress, at least formally speaking

Imagine an islamic leader coming with his 4 official wives. Acceptable to all ?

I wished some gays were not as full of certainty as some heteros are.

jonathan:

Imagine an islamic leader coming with his 4 official wives. Acceptable to all ?

Who cares? It's not as if he's forcing everyone else to have four wives and he's not getting tax credits in Japan for each wife.

And remind me again what the "liberal" in LDP means.

It definitely doesn't mean Liberal, that's for sure.

Well, remove gays, remove this, remove that..... and that. and you’re left with the perfect situation. One where performers and non performers are rewarded equally. One where some people thrive.

Ummm. What?

I would be more surprised if a Jiminto politician didn't said something homophobic.

@stocktrader

First of all, what does sex have to do with any of this? Second of all, don't tell me people only now see sex as something pleasant. That simply isn't true. Your whole comment is just... wrong.

Aren't you already lynched by the mob if you express a modicum of a different opinion?

No, offer an opinion and be prepared to have that opinion considered. Difference of opinion is fine and useful.

Why is discrimination against law-abiding citizens with different sexual preferences okay?

Your answer had better be stupendously good.

Aren't people already forced enough to accept homosexuality? Aren't you already lynched by the mob if you express a modicum of a different opinion?

Change ‘homosexuality’ to ‘black people’, and tell me how you feel about that statement.

Japanese tradition. differ now. Girls ad boys went different shoo until GHQ made Japan coed. Separated society was tradition.

Change ‘homosexuality’ to ‘black people’, and tell me how you feel about that statement.

Many of those conservatives and religious right types aren't too accepting of Blacks, or anyone who doesn't share their race, nationality, or religion, either. So, there's a good chance it wouldn't change the feelings too much.

Many of those conservatives and religious right types aren't too accepting of Blacks, or anyone who doesn't share their race, nationality, or religion, either. So, there's a good chance it wouldn't change the feelings too much.

I picked 'black people' specifically, as the poster who had made the comment about homosexuals is black. I suspect someone making the statement he made towards black people would infuriate him, while he put it out their with no problem for homosexuals. The point of my comment was to give him some perspective on his comment.

I miss the good ol days when sex was thought of as a means of reproducing, unlike today where it is seen as a mere pleasure of the flesh.

Sex has always been a pleasure of the flesh as well as a means of reproducing. And why not?

Love is love. If youre gay, good for you! Be merry and don't break the law.

Are there any laws being broken?

Most people here are bashful whatever opinion is issued. Too bad.

The more it is that way, the more counterbalance you'll get, whatever theme of segregation is discussed (race, sexual orientation, political opinion...).

Accepting differences does not mean to embrace them.