News|LGBTQJapan court rules ban on same-sex marriage is ‘unconstitutional’

Japan's legal landscape took a significant turn as the Sapporo High Court declared the nation's prohibition on same-sex marriage "unconstitutional." This ruling follows a similar decision by the Tokyo District Court earlier the same day, marking the sixth district court to challenge the ban.

While hailed as a step forward by LGBTQ advocates, the Tokyo ruling fell short of full marriage equality as it did not alter existing civil union laws, which define marriage as strictly between a man and a woman. Japan stands as the sole G7 member maintaining this exclusionary stance toward same-sex couples, despite growing public support for marriage equality.

Amnesty International welcomed the court's decisions, labeling them as "groundbreaking" and emphasizing the need for governmental action to legalize same-sex marriage fully. While the courts lack the authority to overturn the constitution, their rulings underscore a trend toward societal acceptance of same-sex unions in Japan.

The push for marriage equality in Japan has gained momentum, with various advocacy groups advocating for anti-discrimination laws. Although a Pew Research Center survey in 2023 indicated that around 68 percent of the Japanese population supports legalizing same-sex marriage, obstacles remain.

While some municipalities allow same-sex couples to enter partnership agreements, these arrangements offer limited rights, such as inheritance, parental, and hospital visitation rights. Despite a "fostering LGBTQ understanding" law passed by the government in July, critics argue that stronger legal measures are necessary to combat discrimination effectively.