ICYMI: LGBTQ rights activists are hoping that Japan may finally allow same-sex marriage if Taro Kono, who has publicly supported gay marriage, becomes the country's next prime minister
Kono is seen as the leading contender to win the ruling party's leadership vote on Wednesday and become premier.
"It's great that he clearly supported same-sex marriage and it's significant that this came from someone inside the LDP" during a leadership race, said Gon Matsunaka, an LGBTQ rights activist in Tokyo. "This shows the extent that the LGBTQ rights movement has moved forward here - same-sex marriage was just never raised as an issue in previous leadership races," said Makiko Terahara, a lawyer who heads an organisation that campaigns for same-sex marriage.Japan's Vaccine Minister Taro Kono, who is running to replace Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, speaks during a group interview in Tokyo, Japan September 16, 2021.
Kono has also come out in support of separate surnames for married couples and allowing heirs of female lineage succeed the imperial throne.
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