A secretary (55) from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) said on the evening of March 3, "I don't even want to look at sexual minorities (LGBT, etc.) and same-sex marriagem", and "I would also hate it if I lived next door".

"Not again"

I thought that.

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There are two issues.

(1) It is difficult for us old geezers and old ladies to understand sexual minorities (e.g. LGBT) and same-sex marriage, as we have not been used to such things.

So if you can't understand it by feel, then you have to gain knowledge and understanding from news, documentaries, and content (ranging from comics to papers).

Over a long period of time, by continuing to study, even gradually, you can change the sensibilities (including "prejudices") that you have.

I (Ebata) think I did it (only in this case).

Conversely, those who don't do it and continue to cling to their own sensibilities -- they are not studying.

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I do not believe that anyone should have to learn the hard way.

However,

"Secretary to the Prime Minister of Japan"

is one of those who must continue to study tirelessly.

Hence, his continued "ignorance" is "harmful".

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(2) He spoke his mind on the premise of "off the record," but to be honest, I thought he was a bit naive.

Even I, a just businessman, do not believe in "off the record".

For example, we do not write the truth in questionnaires conducted by the company.

As an example, at JMI (periodic mental health checkup), I answer 'yes' to the question 'I can hear voices from the universe' every time.

Criticism of company policy is out of the question -- well, I'm glad to say that many of the company's policies are relatively acceptable to me.

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He was exposed to his own feelings of "I don't even like to look at them and I would still hate it if I lived next door", through my lack of study. To tell you the truth, I had to think,

"He was a little boy"

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"I will not say anything that contradicts the claims of my master (e.g. the prime minister), no matter what I think"

This is the golden rule for businessmen.