<p>Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday called homophobic comments made by one of his secretaries "outrageous", indicating he could consider dismissing the aide.</p>.<p>Masayoshi Arai told reporters Friday evening that he "doesn't even want to look at" married same-sex couples, according to public broadcaster <em>NHK</em>.</p>.<p>Arai said he "wouldn't like it if they lived next door" and that people would "abandon the country if we allow same-sex marriage".</p>.<p>Kishida told reporters Saturday that Japan is "aiming for an inclusive society... that recognises diversity".</p>.<p>"The secretary's comments are completely incompatible with such policy and are outrageous," he said, adding that he would need to "take tough measures" against the aide.</p>.<p>The remarks came after the prime minister told parliament this week that same-sex marriage would "affect the society", therefore lawmakers need to be "extremely careful in considering the matter".</p>.<p>Japan is the only nation in the Group of Seven industrialised countries not to recognise same-sex unions. Its 1947 constitution stipulates that "marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes" and "with the equal rights of husband and wife".</p>.<p>More than a dozen couples have filed lawsuits in district courts across Japan arguing that the ban on same-sex marriage violates the constitution.</p>.<p>In November, a Tokyo court said the country's failure to legally protect same-sex partners created an "unconstitutional situation" -- while ruling that the constitution's definition of marriage was legal.</p>.<p>Arai apologised late Friday, saying his remarks were not appropriate, even if they were his personal opinion.</p>.<p>If he steps down, it will be another blow to Kishida's government, which has faced plummeting approval ratings since last year.</p>.<p>Kishida has lost four ministers in just three months over allegations of financial irregularities or links to the controversial Unification Church.</p>
<p>Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday called homophobic comments made by one of his secretaries "outrageous", indicating he could consider dismissing the aide.</p>.<p>Masayoshi Arai told reporters Friday evening that he "doesn't even want to look at" married same-sex couples, according to public broadcaster <em>NHK</em>.</p>.<p>Arai said he "wouldn't like it if they lived next door" and that people would "abandon the country if we allow same-sex marriage".</p>.<p>Kishida told reporters Saturday that Japan is "aiming for an inclusive society... that recognises diversity".</p>.<p>"The secretary's comments are completely incompatible with such policy and are outrageous," he said, adding that he would need to "take tough measures" against the aide.</p>.<p>The remarks came after the prime minister told parliament this week that same-sex marriage would "affect the society", therefore lawmakers need to be "extremely careful in considering the matter".</p>.<p>Japan is the only nation in the Group of Seven industrialised countries not to recognise same-sex unions. Its 1947 constitution stipulates that "marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes" and "with the equal rights of husband and wife".</p>.<p>More than a dozen couples have filed lawsuits in district courts across Japan arguing that the ban on same-sex marriage violates the constitution.</p>.<p>In November, a Tokyo court said the country's failure to legally protect same-sex partners created an "unconstitutional situation" -- while ruling that the constitution's definition of marriage was legal.</p>.<p>Arai apologised late Friday, saying his remarks were not appropriate, even if they were his personal opinion.</p>.<p>If he steps down, it will be another blow to Kishida's government, which has faced plummeting approval ratings since last year.</p>.<p>Kishida has lost four ministers in just three months over allegations of financial irregularities or links to the controversial Unification Church.</p>