U.S. envoy confident Japan will ban LGBTQ discrimination

At best not ban discrimination but just "promote understanding" of the LBGTQ community

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/02/13/national/lgbtq-bill-g7-hiroshima/

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday said he has “full confidence” that the Japanese government will take the necessary steps to ban discrimination against LGBTQ people.

Anyway does that ambassador still aware not all states and people still not accepting LBGTQ while preaching LBGTQ abroad.

https://www.npr.org/2022/04/10/1091543359/15-states-dont-say-gay-anti-transgender-bills

Rahm Emanuel simply doesn't know Japan well enough to make have such expectations.

“I have full confidence based on the swiftness of the prime minister's actions," Emanuel said at a news conference.

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U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday said he has “full confidence” that the Japanese government will take the necessary steps to ban discrimination against LGBTQ people.

Pure window dressing! Even if somewhere down the line a "ban" is put into place, it will probably be so ambiguous in nature that it's a meaningless gesture.

Either that, or it will be "against the law", but no penalties or consequences for breaking it!

What does this US ambassador think gives him the right to interfere with another country’s internal affairs and legislation?

“I have full confidence based on the swiftness of the prime minister's actions," Emanuel said at a news conference.

Given the track record of the LDP on almost every issue except their own aggrandizement, that confidence would be badly misplaced.

what the laws say and what happens in homes/schools/jobs are different things. But, sure, we need to start with the laws.

What discrimination are we talking about? For gay partners to get the same financial and hospital visiting rights as regular married couples or the rights of a trans man to enter the women's changing room when a group of junior high school girls are changing?

What does this US ambassador think gives him the right to interfere with another country’s internal affairs and legislation?

Because weaponizing social issues to promote foreign policy interests has been adopted by the US, UK and other western countries whose governments were shocked by the massive demonstrations against the illegal Iraq invasion and war 20 years ago.

Remember the furore over Qatar's laws against homosexuality and sex outside marriage just before the World Cup last year? Where do you think that came from?

To the LDP the opinion of the people is largely irrelevant, unless it backs up their view (like capital punishment). But tatemae and international image are a bit more important (except whaling). The most important things are how they and their buddies can benefit and not upsetting the majority of dinosaurs in the party. Maybe some largely toothless legislation will end up being introduced for the look.

What about the discrimination in the US ?

Oh not on a legal point maybe…

Because weaponizing social issues to promote foreign policy interests has been adopted by the US, UK and other western countries whose governments were shocked by the massive demonstrations against the illegal Iraq invasion and war 20 years ago.

And Occupy Wall Street later.

On point as usual Alfie Noakes.

Emanuel is a piece of work and should just enjoy his plush diplomatic position as it lessens his negative effects on the public weal.

https://inthesetimes.com/article/rahm-emanuel-neoliberal-nightmare-chicago-mayor-retirement-reparations

MeiyouwentiToday 07:39 am JST

What does this US ambassador think gives him the right to interfere with another country’s internal affairs and legislation?

How is he interfering? Expressing hope that prejudice and discrimination stops is not interference.

Mr KiplingToday 08:00 am JST

What discrimination are we talking about? For gay partners to get the same financial and hospital visiting rights as regular married couples

And to get married, and be able to live free of discrimination.

or the rights of a trans man to enter the women's changing room when a group of junior high school girls are changing?

Why would you be worried about a trans man in the women's dressing room? Transmen are men; they would be in the men's dressing room.

How about the right of a transwoman to use facilities meant for women?

And yes, I think that's perfectly fine, since transwomen, unlike straight cisgender men, aren't a danger to other women.

Unless you can prove otherwise - where are your numbers that prove conclusively that transwomen or transmen are more of a danger to society than cisgender men? I'll wait.

This is clear over-reach.

If we are truly fighting for equality we shouldn't be marginalizing others in pursuit of it

Rahm must just read how LGBT+ rights are threatened in America, he will first try to fix the discrimination and crazy laws that are put forward AND APPROVED BY GOP state governments.

Japan will sort their own problems out, and the country will be more advanced in these rights than America.

USA is a disaster because of woke politics.

Keep it out of Japan please.

If I see him at the club, I will tell him exactly how I feel.

It is an internal matter. Why is the US sticking its nose in Japan's business? We in Japan suggest that the US gets its own house in order.

yeah those marriage certificates are an absolute sham, they are utterly meaningless. When they real law comes to pass, allowing marriage for whomever then things will begin to change.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel is an arrogant disrespectful man, his ignorance is breathtaking.

The legislation determining LGBTQ isuues pretaning to discrimination is a internal cultural matter.

“I have full confidence based on the swiftness of the prime minister's actions," Emanuel said at a news conference.

Japan's parliament "will reflect not only the will of the Japanese public, but take the steps necessary to be a clear unambiguous voice not only for tolerance, but against discrimination,” he said.

Emanuel press briefings, have a distinct overture amounting to a demand.

Emanuel press briefings, have a distinct overture amounting to a demand.

Well said.

LGBTQ gender equality roles and the social and emotional effects they represent both in supportive educational conditions in schools, how women and children could be impacted by legislation enacted without careful consideration, in haste is reckless.

Rahm Emanuel is best advised to keep this in mind before making ill judged comments.

Don't get your hopes up. If Japan cannot even give equal rights to women, I doubt the lgbt community will succeed. The average Japanese person doesn't even know what the acronym stands for, even though studies claim that 1 in 13 people identify themselves as lesbian, gay, and whatnot.

Media surveys show public support for legalization of same-sex marriage has increased in recent years to more than 60%.

This is great to see. I also see much hope in the younger generations as they are generally more open and accepting than the older generations. As much as some wish to inhibit change with their "woke" politics rhetoric, the fact is that the younger generations are already awake.

Girl in Tokyo....

Transmen are men

No, transmen are not men. That is why they are called transmen. Just like transwomen are not women.

There is a huge difference between discrimination and pandering to what many regard as the "delusions" of a minority.

more arrogant, patronizing talk from Western politicians treating supposedly inferior Asian nations like wayward children.

Stay the course, Japan. Stay the course.

Look at the disastrous results of identity politics in the west and stay. the. course.

People who wholeheartedly believe in accelerationism are the most irresponsible revolutionaries and deconstructionists. They are eager to change the status quo, but they have not thought about what kind of path to choose after changing the status quo.

The fact that the right-wing government, non-government, and corporate forces in the United States are so keen to promote neo-accelerationism is one of the results of the inability and lack of effectiveness of the left.

Why are people so upset about all of this?

Make legal status for anyone to marry whomever they want. Problem solved.

Then everyone can shut up and get on with more important things.

well its not that guys business.

Why are people so upset about all of this?

Make legal status for anyone to marry whomever they want. Problem solved.

Then everyone can shut up and get on with more important things.

Not sure about the others but you do seem upset

Then everyone can shut up and get on with more important things.

This is one of the most if not the most important for the LGBTQ community.

And it has important implications for the rest

What makes Rahm Emanuel so confident Japan will take the necessary steps to ban etc?

What discrimination? Again, western countries trying to stir the pot. Repulsive, shameless and disgusting.

Any person of the lgbtq community can work anywhere and anytime. Just in my workplace there are obvious lgbtq people and there is literally no issue whatsoever. As a matter of fact one of the most reliable and hardworking persons who works under me is a godsend. Without this person a lot wouldn't get done, or it wouldn't be done well enough. I would hate to see management to try to mess this working relationship up. The person in question is no victim.

What discrimination? Again, western countries trying to stir the pot. Repulsive, shameless and disgusting.

Agree.

They should provide stats or examples of occurrences so people would have an idea of what's happening and to what extent.

Instead of merely throwing a blanket "who often face discrimination at school, work and at home, causing many to hide their sexual identities.", everytime.

Also, It's actually hard to be discriminated against something one is hiding.

> Why would you be worried about a trans man in the women's dressing room? Transmen are men; they would be in the men's dressing room. 

How about the right of a transwoman to use facilities meant for women? 

And yes, I think that's perfectly fine, since transwomen, unlike straight cisgender men, aren't a danger to other women. 

Unless you can prove otherwise - where are your numbers that prove conclusively that transwomen or transmen are more of a danger to society than cisgender men? I'll wait.

Excellent post. Agree 100%

Mr KiplingToday 09:58 am JST

No, transmen are not men. That is why they are called transmen. Just like transwomen are not women.

There is a huge difference between discrimination and pandering to what many regard as the "delusions" of a minority.

The fact is, the scientific community accepts that gender dysphoria is a real condition, and is not a delusion. It is also well-agreed upon that transitioning can be helpful for some transpeople who have dysphoria.

It is also a fact that treating transpeople with respect and granting them the same dignity as you would anyone else, including using their correct names and pronouns, is the right and moral thing to do.

Discriminatory remarks like the ones you are making here encourage prejudice; and prejudice is literally getting transpeople murdered.

Contributing to the negative rhetoric that harms transpeople is unethical and immoral.

lol

What does this US ambassador think gives him the right to interfere with another country’s internal affairs and legislation?

Exactly!!!

How about the right of a transwoman to use facilities meant for women?

Transwomen are not women. So no, they shouldn't be allowed to use facilities meant for women, specifically if they still have male's genitalia. It's the equivalent of allowing straight men using facilities meant for women.

There is a reason why facilities are divided for the two different genders.

But far-rightist groups such as Japan Conference or Unification Church who have very strong ​influence to ruling party LDP hate LGBTQ.

ian Today 11:38 am JST

Agree.

They should provide stats or examples of occurrences so people would have an idea of what's happening and to what extent.

Instead of merely throwing a blanket "who often face discrimination at school, work and at home, causing many to hide their sexual identities.", everytime.

Also, It's actually hard to be discriminated against something one is hiding.

This site is chock full of nasty remarks, innuendo, ignorance being presented as fact, and false claims - and you are trying to say that none of that adds up to discrimination?

Queer people the world over are refused the right to marry, and are even murdered for being queer, and you are trying to assert that no one discriminates against the queer community.

Clearly, this is untrue.

There is so much discrimination and prejudice in Japan against the queer community that most people can't even say they are queer. You said it yourself, as "hiding".

Yet you still maintain that queer people have nothing to worry about because there is no discrimination.

Wow.

And Occupy Wall Street later.

That movement scared the Establishment more than any of the others and was taken down because of it.

It is very important to understand that economic justice is not a culture war, its a class war. The Establishment wants people to fight culture wars about race, immigration, LBGT etc. because such things are not directly related to the economic status quo. A "victory" in getting soccer players to take the knee against racism or school textbooks to depict children with gay parents does not affect billionaires' offshore bank accounts.

This is not to say racism, homophobia etc. do not matter. Of course they do. However poverty will impinge on your freedom much more than your simple skin colour or sexual orientation/gender. In countries with historic levels of wealth, no-one should be poor.