Kathmandu (Pahichan) June 17 – A senior U.N. Human Rights official said the Japanese business sector should play a greater role in eliminating discrimination against sexual minorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there is less progress both in laws and in public attitudes in Japan than the other six countries of the G7,\u201d Andrew Gilmour, assistant secretary-general of the U.N. Human Rights Office, said in a recent interview in Tokyo. \u201cWe are hoping that we can encourage better improvement, better acceptance.\u201d<\/p>\n
One in 13 people in Japan is estimated to be a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, according to a survey conducted in 2015 by the Japanese advertising giant Dentsu Inc.<\/p>\n
Japan has seen gradually growing acceptance of sexual minorities with more municipal governments launching certificate systems to recognize partnerships of LGBT couples. But marriage remains limited to a union of a man and a woman.<\/p>\n
Another survey of 3,693 listed companies by Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting found only 3.6 percent of 168 respondents were actively hiring and promoting LGBT people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most powerful element of a society is the private sector. That\u2019s why we are aiming to talk to them,\u201d Gilmour said.<\/p>\n
He visited Japan earlier this month to promote LGBT equality in workplaces, as the United Nations issued last September business standards on treatment of LGBT employees, which 137 companies around the world, including Japan, have supported.<\/p>\n
Gilmour said the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics offers a good opportunity for Japan to demonstrate its commitment to the LGBT community.<\/p>\n
\u201c2020 is really a catalyst,\u201d he said, describing the games as a \u201cshowcase for human rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that using 2020 and the short time we have between 2018 and 2020, I think there will be a rapid progress and we certainly encourage that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n