{"id":50215,"date":"2023-02-13T10:16:11","date_gmt":"2023-02-13T15:16:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/?p=50215"},"modified":"2023-06-13T14:46:51","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T19:46:51","slug":"supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting the LGBTQ Community in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Martha Mensendiek serves with Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan.<\/em><\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear Friends,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I thought you might be interested in a story dominating the news in Japan these days. It concerns discriminatory remarks about sexual minorities made by Masayoshi Arai, Secretary to Prime Minister Kishida. It is reported that when asked about his views on same-sex marriage, he said, \u201cI don\u2019t like to look at them. I don\u2019t even want to live next door to them.\u201d It is also reported that he said that \u201cif we allow same-sex marriage, there will be people who abandon the country. The influence on society will be huge. It will only bring a negative impact. The secretary\u2019s office is also against it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

After this statement made the headlines, he retracted his statements and Prime Minister Kishida removed him from office. The Prime Minister said that Secretary Arai\u2019s comments \u201care completely incompatible with the administration\u2019s policy of respecting diversity\u201d and the administration\u2019s \u201caims for an inclusive society.\u201d He also stated that \u201cThere should be no unfair discrimination or prejudice on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as Secretary Arai served as speech writer for the Prime Minister, and his mention that the \u201csecretary\u2019s office is against it,\u201d indicates that discriminatory perspectives within the government have been influencing policy. Also, this is not the first cabinet member who has verbalized discriminatory comments about sexual minorities. Mio Sugita, a member of the House of Representatives, is known for her conservative views, including comments against gender diversity and the LGBT community. In December she was forced to resign from her position as Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications due to derogatory comments she made about LGBT and Ainu indigenous communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Japan will be hosting the \u201cG7 Hiroshima Summit\u201d in May, it is being pointed out that Japan is the only G7 country without an LGBT anti-discrimination law, legal protection for same-sex couples, and that the requirements for legal gender recognition are inhumane. (To legally change your gender, you must not be married, must not have children, and compulsory sterilization is required.)<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Many LGBTQ people in Japan have to hide their identity and suffer because of this. The rate of suicide attempts among sexual minorities has been found to be much higher than that of the cisgender\/heterosexual population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Bazaar Caf\u00e9 in Kyoto has served as a \u201csafe haven\u201d for the LGBTQ community. Our partner church, the Kyoto Conference of the United Church of Christ in Japan, also has a committee on sexual discrimination and has had an open and affirming policy within the conference. I pray that the Christian church in Japan will continue to offer support for the diverse community as well as to raise our voice in protest of blatant discrimination and to help elect leaders who have a more tolerant view and who can work for a truly inclusive society for all minorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you for your prayers and support of our continued ministry of accompaniment with our partners in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martha Mensendiek serves with Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan. Her appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church\u2019s Wider Mission, and your special gifts.<\/em><\/p>

Make a gift that supports the work of Martha Mensendiek<\/a><\/em><\/p> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Martha Mensendiek serves with Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan. Dear Friends, I thought you might be interested in a story dominating the news in Japan these days. It concerns discriminatory remarks about sexual minorities made by Masayoshi Arai, Secretary to Prime … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20221,"featured_media":50219,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[],"topic":[20429,20299,20244,20276,20446],"region":[20019,20018],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSupporting the LGBTQ Community in Japan - Global Ministries<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Supporting the LGBTQ Community in Japan - Global Ministries\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Martha Mensendiek serves with Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan. Dear Friends, I thought you might be interested in a story dominating the news in Japan these days. It concerns discriminatory remarks about sexual minorities made by Masayoshi Arai, Secretary to Prime … Read more\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Global Ministries\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-02-13T15:16:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-06-13T19:46:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/First-quarter-newletter-Martha-Mensendiek-Japan-2023-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"960\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Global Ministries\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Global Ministries\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/\",\"name\":\"Supporting the LGBTQ Community in Japan - Global Ministries\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2023-02-13T15:16:11+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-13T19:46:51+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#\/schema\/person\/fd55f1d77b4604c30516841d557532c5\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Supporting the LGBTQ Community in Japan\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/\",\"name\":\"Global Ministries\",\"description\":\"Global Ministries is a common missional witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Global Ministries works with approximately 290 faith-based international partners in close to 90 countries. Our Vision: That all of God\u2019s people and creation share in God\u2019s abundant life. Our Mission: To receive and share the Good News of Jesus Christ by joining with global and local partners to work for justice, reconciliation, and peace.\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#\/schema\/person\/fd55f1d77b4604c30516841d557532c5\",\"name\":\"Global Ministries\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/85e0c009fc3e1326def9a9a5c747040b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/85e0c009fc3e1326def9a9a5c747040b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Global Ministries\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/author\/global-ministries\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Supporting the LGBTQ Community in Japan - Global Ministries","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Supporting the LGBTQ Community in Japan - Global Ministries","og_description":"Martha Mensendiek serves with Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan. Dear Friends, I thought you might be interested in a story dominating the news in Japan these days. It concerns discriminatory remarks about sexual minorities made by Masayoshi Arai, Secretary to Prime … Read more","og_url":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/","og_site_name":"Global Ministries","article_published_time":"2023-02-13T15:16:11+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-06-13T19:46:51+00:00","og_image":[{"width":960,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/First-quarter-newletter-Martha-Mensendiek-Japan-2023-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Global Ministries","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Global Ministries","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/","url":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/","name":"Supporting the LGBTQ Community in Japan - Global Ministries","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#website"},"datePublished":"2023-02-13T15:16:11+00:00","dateModified":"2023-06-13T19:46:51+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#\/schema\/person\/fd55f1d77b4604c30516841d557532c5"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/supporting-the-lgbtq-community-in-japan\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Supporting the LGBTQ Community in Japan"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/","name":"Global Ministries","description":"Global Ministries is a common missional witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Global Ministries works with approximately 290 faith-based international partners in close to 90 countries. Our Vision: That all of God\u2019s people and creation share in God\u2019s abundant life. Our Mission: To receive and share the Good News of Jesus Christ by joining with global and local partners to work for justice, reconciliation, and peace.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#\/schema\/person\/fd55f1d77b4604c30516841d557532c5","name":"Global Ministries","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/85e0c009fc3e1326def9a9a5c747040b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/85e0c009fc3e1326def9a9a5c747040b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Global Ministries"},"url":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/author\/global-ministries\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50215"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20221"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50215"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50215\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51664,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50215\/revisions\/51664"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50215"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50215"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=50215"},{"taxonomy":"region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region?post=50215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}