A bill to promote understanding of the LGBTQ community in Japan supported by two ruling and two opposition parties has been approved in the Lower House and sent to the Upper House.

Three bills had been submitted to the Lower House Cabinet Committee. Last Friday, officials from the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito, as well as the Nippon Ishin Japan Innovation Party and the Democratic Party for the People agreed on a revised version of the ruling parties' bill. The revised bill incorporates contents of one submitted by the two opposition parties.

The bill was approved at Tuesday's Lower House plenary session by a majority vote.

Opposition parties including the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Japanese Communist Party and Reiwa Shinsengumi voted against it. They said the content of the legislation had regressed from that written by a nonpartisan group of lawmakers in 2021.

Some conservative lawmakers in the LDP also continue to oppose the legislation. They chose not to attend Tuesday's plenary session or walked out just before the vote.

The revised version approved by the Lower House says "there should be no unfair discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity."

It stipulates that the government will draw up a basic plan to promote understanding of the LGBTQ community.

The bill also says that in implementing the measures stipulated by law, all citizens should be able to lead their lives securely.

The four parties that support the legislation are seeking to swiftly deliberate the bill in the Upper House for enactment during the current Diet session.