Our money is being invested in political activities against LGBTQ+ rights, same sex marriage or marrying with separate surnames.

Most people living in Japan have experienced throwing money at shrines to make a wish. Did you know that the money we throw may be used to campaign against same-sex and separate surnames in marriage?

The Shinto Political Federation, a political organization by the Shinto Shrines Headquarters, of which many shrines throughout Japan are members, is a huge political force with 263 members of the Diet. 

The Shinto Seiji Renmei (Shinto Political Federation) has taken a stand against separate surnames for married couples and same-sex marriage and has published several pamphlets with contents like: 

"Are separate surnames really necessary? The answer is no!"

"Homosexuality is a result of environmental influences, and there are many former homosexuals in the world who have been able to leave homosexuality through recovery therapy, religious experiences or spontaneously"

These publications were distributed to a study group of Liberal Democratic Party members in June 2022. 

Examples of references to the Shinto Political Union's journal 'kokoro(意)', which criticized same-sex or separate surname marriage:

"It is believed that the influence of a mother who is indifferent to and discourages the manhood of her son who has a father who is weak and has no leadership skills or who has no love for his family, or a mother who is unloved and neglected by her husband and over-protects and loves her son is the cause of the child becoming homosexual' (No.215 p.5 / Hirosaki Gakuin University." (Contributed by Prof. (楊尚眞)Yang Sang-Jin)

"Many LGBTQ activists believe that same-sex marriage rights are merely a convenience and that the ultimate goal is to dismantle traditional frameworks such as marriage, family and religion and create a far-left commune." (No.215, p.14 / Contribution by Yoichi Shimada, Professor at Fukui Prefectural University)

"In 1996, the Shinto Shrines Headquarters announced its basic view that it opposes separate surnames for married couples from the perspective of emphasizing the 'inheritance of ancestral rituals', the 'role of the family' and 'traditional Japanese culture. The Shinto Shrine community has long believed that separate surnames for married couples would inevitably mean separate surnames for parents and children, which would undermine not only the sense of family unity but also cause disputes over children's surnames, which could lead to the disintegration of the family." (No.213, p.6 / Contribution by Councilor Eriko Yamatani)

Historical background and society's opinion about same-sex marriage or marrying with separate surnames:

The claims made by those politicians are prejudices that lack evidence from historical facts and scientific data.

Japan has historically been a tolerant country about homosexuality.

Like other East Asian countries, it did not have a culture and custom of changing surnames through marriage. Even after the enactment of the modern Civil Code, it was a country where married couples kept separate surnames as a basic rule until 1897.

Japan is the only G7 country where same-sex couples cannot marry, and  the only country where couples must use the same surname when getting married.

There has also been no social disruption in countries that have recognized same-sex marriage and separate surnames, as the Jinja Honcho/Jindo Seiji Renmei wants to claim.

What hurts is that the money given with the best of intentions to the shrines is the source of funds for political activities that deny such fundamental human rights. 

Money such as donations, fees for different ceremonies and amulets or omamoris (talismans), all given with the aim of hope, are used in those kinds of anti-human rights activities.

According to a 2021 public opinion survey by NHK:

・57% of respondents favour separate surnames for married couples and same-sex marriage.

The same year's Asahi Shimbun survey showed that

・65% in favor of same-sex marriage and,

・67% agree on a law allowing marrying with separate surnames.

Even though the majority favor the law, the law remains unchanged because of the political groups behind politicians.

Hatsumode, Shichi-Go-San, weddings... 

I want to choose a '#friendly shrine' that doesn't discriminate!

But we also want to choose where we donate our money.

Shrine-related ceremonies are deeply rooted in Japanese society, and sometimes go beyond mere religious significance, becoming an inherent part of our culture.

We do not want to inadvertently pay a prayer fee to a shrine that discriminates against us at important family events such as weddings, Shichi-Go-San or any kind of ceremony.

Not all shrines are the same; some welcome same-sex marriage and marrying with different surnames! 

That's why we are asking them to disclose their position on those themes.

This petition is addressed to the top shrines in the Hatsumode ranking, but we will also ask shrines across the country to express their opinions. The responses we collect will be visualized on a map. 

We look forward to receiving your answers.

#friendlyshirnes #私のお賽銭のゆくえ