Japanese PM fires senior aide over homophobic comments

A senior aide of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was dismissed on February 4 after making homophobic comments.

Masayoshi Arai, a secretary of the prime minister's office, said he "doesn't even want to look at" married same-sex couples, DW reports.

He added that he "wouldn't even like it if they lived next door," according to public broadcaster NHK.

The same day, Arai retracted his comments and apologized, saying his remarks were inappropriate, even if they were his personal opinion.

Kishida rebuked Arai's comments and called them "outrageous and completely incompatible with the administration's policies."

On February 4, Kishida told reporters that Japan is currently "aiming for an inclusive society...that recognizes diversity."

Arai's comments are an embarrassment for Kishida, who is preparing to host world leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) nations in May.

Japan is the only G7 nation that does not recognize same-sex unions.

The Japanese constitution articulates that "marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes" and "with equal rights of husband and wife."