Premium Content:

Japanese civil service employees warned not to harass gay colleagues

Gay rights in Japan are far behind those of many Western countries but a new policy implemented in the nation’s civil service shows some progress.

- Advertisement -

Employees of the National Personnel Authority (NPA) were instructed earlier this year to be aware of their behaviour towards LGBT colleagues.

The new policy highlights that discriminatory speech against gay and lesbian colleagues would be grounds for sexual harassment.

Suggesting that “homosexuals are sickening” or calling someone a “man-woman” are some of the examples put forward of what might constitute harassment.

“We’ve long understood these behaviors to be examples of sexual harassment, but as issues surrounding sexual minorities have become more prevalent in our society in recent years, we decided to make the rules clearer,” a spokesperson for NPA told The Mainichi.

The policy will apply to 280,000 public servants. The Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation (J-ALL) has appealed to local government organisations and private companies to bring in similar guidelines.

Homosexuality is not illegal in the conservative nation but laws regarding age of consent and protections in the employment field are inconsistent in different areas of the country.

OIP Staff

 

 

Latest

Couch Potato | ‘Smoggie Queens’ is destined to be a cult classic

The new drag comedy series has just arrived on Foxtel.

Boot up the first trailer for ‘M3GAN 2.0’

The doll who went viral for her killer dance...

On This Gay Day | Actor Anthony Perkins was born

Perkins is best known for his lead role in the film 'Psycho'.

WA Reflections: Local drag history among newly-funded documentaries

Screenwest has announced funding for four new documentaries shining a light on local Western Australian history and celebrating our diversity.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Couch Potato | ‘Smoggie Queens’ is destined to be a cult classic

The new drag comedy series has just arrived on Foxtel.

Boot up the first trailer for ‘M3GAN 2.0’

The doll who went viral for her killer dance...

On This Gay Day | Actor Anthony Perkins was born

Perkins is best known for his lead role in the film 'Psycho'.

WA Reflections: Local drag history among newly-funded documentaries

Screenwest has announced funding for four new documentaries shining a light on local Western Australian history and celebrating our diversity.

‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ teases genre-bending third season

Paramount+ has released a teaser for the upcoming third season of its hit original series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Couch Potato | ‘Smoggie Queens’ is destined to be a cult classic

The new drag comedy series has just arrived on Foxtel.

Boot up the first trailer for ‘M3GAN 2.0’

The doll who went viral for her killer dance moves and other murderous tendencies is back with an all-new chapter in 2025. M3GAN 2.0 follows...

On This Gay Day | Actor Anthony Perkins was born

Perkins is best known for his lead role in the film 'Psycho'.