Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been criticised for saying the country’s ban on same-sex marriage is not discriminatory. Weeks ago, he apologised to the LGBTQ community over homophobic comments made by an aide who has since been sacked. Mr Kishida’s party is under growing pressure to improve LGBTQ rights, as more Japanese support same-sex marriage. Japan remains the only G7 country that doesn’t recognise such unions. When asked by an opposition lawmaker if the country’s existing law constituted discrimination, the PM said on Tuesday: “I don’t think disallowing same-sex couples to marry is unjust discrimination by the state.” The prime minister also reiterated his position on Wednesday that a ban on same-sex marriage is “not unconstitutional” but said his stand should not be seen as a form of discrimination. Local LGBTQ groups have accused Mr Kishida of backpedalling on commitments made in recent weeks – saying his words contradicted his actions.(BBC)…[+]