A mid controversy and criticism, Japan passed a bill on Friday aimed at promoting understanding of the LGBT community.
However, the legislation has faced backlash for lacking human rights guarantees and potentially perpetuating certain forms of discrimination.
Japan is the only Group of Seven (G7) country without legal protection for same-sex unions.
It initially committed to passing the law before hosting the G7 leaders‘ summit slated to happen from May 19 to May 21.
However, disputes over the bill’s content and wording resulted in it submitted to Parliament for consideration on the eve of the summit.
Despite some lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party deviating from party directives.
And either abstaining or leaving during the voting, the bill ultimately approved by the more influential lower house on Tuesday.
The original draft of the bill stated that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity should “not tolerated. But it was modified to “there should no unfair discrimination.”
Critics argue that this change in wording implicitly allows for discrimination and bigotry.
Japan has faced pressure from other G7 nations, particularly the United States, to legalise same-sex marriage.
Economic leaders have expressed concerns that Japan’s international competitiveness could hindered without greater diversity, including representation for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.