LGBTQ groups hope Japan PM race may lead to same-sex marriages

FILE PHOTO: Candidate for the presidential election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Seiko Noda, attends a debate organized by the Liberal Democratic Party, Youth Bureau, Women's Bureau at the party headquarters, in Tokyo, Japan, September 20, 2021. Philip Fong/Pool via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - LGBTQ rights activists are hoping that Japan may finally allow same-sex marriage if Taro Kono, who has publicly supported gay marriage, becomes the country's next prime minister, but change will not come easily.

Kono is seen as the leading contender to win the ruling party's leadership vote on Wednesday and become premier.