The rainbow color stairs to convey a message of respect for gender diversity are seen on the first floor of the Echizen Municipal Government building in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, on Dec. 8, 2021. (Mainichi/Chika Yokomi)

       ECHIZEN, Fukui -- This central Japan city has decorated the stairs of its city hall with local specialty paper in six different colors to show respect for LGBTQ people.

       The "Nijiiro Kaidan," or rainbow color stairs, on the central staircase on the first floor of the city hall was planned by the Echizen Municipal Government employees' union and the diversity promotion office to coincide with Human Rights Day on Dec. 10. Since the staircase is photogenic, the person in charge said, "We hope people will take pictures on the stairs and send out their support for LGBTQ people."

       The municipal government aims to create a city where everyone can live comfortably by recognizing the diversity of sexuality. Yu Ogata and his colleagues at the diversity promotion office came up with the idea of decorating the 30 steps of the staircase near a service counter frequented by citizens, in hopes that it would provide an opportunity to think about sexual diversity. The colorful stairs decorated with Echizen "washi" paper can be seen from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on weekdays when the city government building is open until Dec. 28.

       In addition, on the first floor of the city's lifelong learning center in the same building, posters of "Article 30 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," drawn by illustrators and picture book artists from around the world, are on display until Dec. 15. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., except Sundays when it closes at 5 p.m. Entry is free of charge.

       (Japanese original by Chika Yokomi, Fukui Bureau)

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