Japan's First Basic Plan for LGBT Understanding to Enhance School Counseling

Central Message

(Japan Today, Tokyo, June 16 — Comprehensive Report from International Media) Japan's Cabinet meeting today adopted the country's first basic plan under the 'LGBT Understanding Promotion Act,' enacted three years ago, to promote public understanding of LGBT and other diverse sexual orientations. The plan includes measures to enhance educators' awareness and strengthen counseling systems in schools.

According to reports from NHK and the Sankei Shimbun, the plan describes the current situation regarding LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) and other groups: 'While public awareness is gradually expanding, some individuals still find it difficult to adapt to social life and experience confusion and anxiety.'

To ensure deeper understanding among the Japanese public, the plan recommends promoting knowledge about diversity across various settings, including schools, communities, families, and workplaces.

Specific measures include the central government sharing reference cases to enhance local government consultation services, holding workshops to improve educators' understanding, and utilizing school counseling resources to strengthen student support systems.

Additionally, the basic plan will be reviewed and revised every three years in principle. During the drafting process, phrases such as 'public understanding has not sufficiently advanced' were initially included but were revised to 'public awareness is gradually expanding' following feedback from meetings within the Liberal Democratic Party.

Hiroshi Kikukawa, Minister for Children's Policy and responsible for inclusive society initiatives, stated at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting: 'Since the enactment of the LGBT Understanding Promotion Act, we have carefully listened to diverse opinions and incorporated necessary academic research to ensure this basic plan gains public understanding.'

He added, 'With the adoption of this basic plan, inter-ministerial cooperation will deepen, enabling us to implement measures more comprehensively and systematically. We will continue to properly implement all necessary actions in the future.'

Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinichi Kinoshita explained the reason it took about three years from the enforcement of the 'LGBT Understanding Promotion Act' to the formulation of the basic plan. He stated, 'The Cabinet Office has carefully gathered and examined diverse opinions and necessary academic research raised during Diet deliberations and other forums to ensure thorough preparation.' (Translation: Li Jing / Review: Yang Weijing) 1150616