The Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Tuesday restored the term "homosexuals" in its guidelines for promoting human rights measures after hundreds of Tokyo residents urged that it do so.

The term had been scrapped from the draft guidelines unveiled for public comment in June on the grounds that various surveys indicated that Tokyo citizens "do not fully understand" homosexuals. An advisory panel to the governor suggested in December 1999 that homosexuals be included in the metropolitan government's measures as they are a sexual minority.

The June draft attracted criticism from human rights groups, and metropolitan government officials said that of the roughly 700 opinions expressed by the general public, many voiced their desire to see the word put into the guidelines.

As a result, the final version of the guidelines says there is discrimination against sexual minorities and that "there are various issues being discussed regarding homosexuals."