Michael Strausz (Texas Christian University), “Economic Framing and Local Politicians’ Support for Same-Sex Partnership Recognition in Japan”
October 29 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm EDT
US ET: October 29 (Thursday), 8 – 9 PM
JST: October 30 (Friday), 9 – 10 AM
Zoom Registration: Link
Paper to be posted
Presenter: Michael Strausz (Texas Christian University)
Authors: Michael Strausz (Texas Christian University), Hikaru Yamagishi (World Bank), Tian Yunchen (Kyoto University), and Yoshikuni Ono (Waseda University).
Abstract:
Policies concerning same-sex couples remain highly contested worldwide, and in many countries, including Japan, change often emerges at the local rather than national level. Some Japanese municipalities have pioneered partnership recognition, yet little is known about what shapes local politicians’ support. This study examines whether economic framing—appeals from firms seeking to invest and create local jobs—influences attitudes toward same sex partnership recognition. We conducted a survey experiment of over 2,500 city council members in 400 municipalities across Japan, randomly assigning municipalities to one of three conditions: control, demands from a domestic firm, or demands from a foreign firm. Economic appeals significantly increased support for treating same-sex couples as de facto married couples on resident registration forms, but not for issuing municipal partnership certificates or permitting married couples to keep separate surnames. Foreign firm appeals were somewhat more effective, especially among initially opposed politicians. These findings show that economic framing can shift elite attitudes on LGBTQ policies, but its reach is limited.
Discussants: Ken Victor Leonard Hijino (Kyoto University), Matthew Incantalupo (Yeshiva University)
Chair: Saori Katada (University of California, Santa Barbara)