Japanese, don't be afraid The sun will continue to rise even if same-sex marriage is recognized Ask a former New Zealand member of parliament

"Even if same-sex marriage is allowed, society will continue without change." People from countries where homosexuality was once a crime are calling out to Japan. Former New Zealand MP Maurice Williamson, 70. Eight years ago, when New Zealand's parliament passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, he made an impressive speech in support of it and received worldwide applause. Far from recognizing same-sex marriage, Japan's political stagnation stands out, with the Liberal Democratic Party not even submitting a bill to the Diet to promote understanding of LGBT and other sexual minorities. I asked Mr. Williamson directly, who tweeted in Japanese, "I would like to be interviewed."

Mr. Williamson was first elected to Parliament in 1987 when he ran for the conservative New Zealand National Party. After serving 10 terms of 30 years, he held ministerial posts such as Minister of Transport and Minister of Communications, and retired from politics in 2017.

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