Lawmaker Sugita retracts past remarks on LGBT, other minorities

If you read her bio, she's tried several times to get into public office and failed but it wasn't until she latched onto sweet daddy Abe that she got elected. Her apology means nothing it was only to save big boss Kishida's popularity from sinking even more. She's a racist and homophobic, at best.

Homophobic losers have no place in this 21st century..

I doubt any sincerity came with her apology. She's made multiple racist, homophobic, discriminatory remarks - that's what we call a pattern.

Are her retractions sincere though. You don't coldly spew bile without it being part of your very identity.

@ジョージToday  09:06 am JST

“On the other hand, how many of you can deny the fact that LGBTs can’t produce offspring? “

Sperm donation and surrogacy exist.

Indeed they do: for couples unable to produce offspring.

(You might want to check the meaning of the English words ‘produce’ and ‘offspring’, champ.)

TT

Are her retractions sincere though. You don't coldly spew bile without it being part of your very identity.

I’m not so sure. Politicians are opportunistic and will pander to certain sections of the electorate - bigots can vote. I would say that anyone who spouts bile like this for opportunistic reasons is a low life. The other group tend to be male religious scammers who hiss at LGBT people and are later found in hotel rooms with hard drugs and male prostitutes. The idea about protesting too much can often be true.

What this does show is that homophobia is becoming less and less acceptable in Japan, as are unpleasant descriptions of ethnic minorities. Time is up on this trash.

I’d wager same-sex marriage will be instituted in Japan within 5-10 years.

Those against it are becoming increasingly irrelevant.

"I take seriously the harsh criticism. Reflecting on my past expressions, which lacked consideration, I apologize to the people I've hurt and hereby retract them," Sugita

iIdon’t think it works that way, Sugi…….you got a live mic and say stupid things to the public, it’s out there. For life.

Has the leopard changed its spots? Doubtful. More likely she has her eyes on eventually taking her turn in revolving door LDP premiership.

Her remarks were made years ago. Why didn't she apologize and retract them then? Kishida will only appear weak by forcing her to do this. He is cleaning up Abe's mess but only encourages more detractors who smell blood.

On the other hand, how many of you can deny the fact that LGBTs can’t produce offspring?

Sperm donation and surrogacy exist.

This, and judging one's right to happiness depending on their ability to create people is dehumanising.

What she said was vile and unless she openly support same-sex marriage and the integration of minorities, her apologies mean nothing.

This excuse of a woman is a nasty vile person. No sincerity in her 'apology'. I bet her views are just the same. Some of the worst homophobes, racists and misogynists in the LDP can be women.

She has apologised. Let's not accept her apology. It is not sincere because

she wants to hold on to her job.

She also made comments in a blog post in 2016 about female participants at a U.N. gathering on the elimination of discrimination against women who were dressed in Korean or Ainu attire, calling them "middle-aged cosplayers."

Would she say that about Japanese representatives dressed in kimono?

Ms. Sugita is an ignorant ****.

Oh, I apologize and retract that....

Sugita came under fire in 2018 for saying in a magazine article that the government should not support sexual-minority couples because they cannot produce offspring and thus are not "productive."

One way or another this will be government policy. The introduction of generous subsidies and tax breaks for parents is inevitable as politicians try to solve the demographic crisis. Statistically, most sexual minorities will end up subsidising heterosexual families.

Narrowmindedness and lack of empathy are characteristics common to most career politicians of all stripes and in all countries at all times and Sugita fits this profile to a T for sure. Their chameleon positions can quickly shift in order to appeal to the prejudices of the electorate and exploit the latter's gullibility, which is why, as a class, they are so very hard to stomach. Only time will tell just how many grains of salt are required to take her mea culpa.

All too often the politicos in Tokyo utter discriminatory and racist drivel.

What are they thinking and saying in private?

By the same token, many "presentable" opinions have stark differences

in private.

Actions are what matter.

Her remarks were made years ago. Why didn't she apologize and retract them then?

She didn't have to, then.

When censorship of free speech is present, what is actually presented is not truth.

Sugita came under fire in 2018 for saying in a magazine article that the government should not support sexual-minority couples because they cannot produce offspring and thus are not "productive."

So is your average Salaryman and OL. And pretty much MOST of the Japanese population.

Unfortunately, without laws on offensive and discriminatory public speech Japan will never become a world player.

Well said.

Would she say that about Japanese representatives dressed in kimono?

Exactly!

I doubt any sincerity came with her apology. She's made multiple racist, homophobic, discriminatory remarks - that's what we call a pattern.

She fits PERFECTLY in the LDP- a party that is every bit as liberal and democratic as the Democratic Republic of North Korea is democratic.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has rejected calls by opposition parties to remove her from her post, saying he wants her to serve by following government policy.

Coming out with discriminatory and offensive comments is following government policy ?

All too often the politicos in Tokyo utter discriminatory and racist drivel.

What are they thinking and saying in private?

Unfortunately, without laws on offensive and discriminatory public speech Japan will never become a world player.

One’s opinion is free speech.

Being made to apologize for it, is censorship.

I remember when speaking honestly made people less tense, and there was more humor about everything.

Now the world walks on eggshells...

It’s shocking that a member of Parliament who’s serving as a vice minister made such gross, discriminatory, homophonic remarks. On the other hand, how many of you can deny the fact that LGBTs can’t produce offspring? She just stated the truth, though she should have said it in a more appropriate way.