Japan court upholds ban on same-sex marriage but urges for more LGBTQ+ protections
A Japanese court has upheld its ruling banning same-sex marriage while calling for more LGBTQ+ protections. Over the last few years, local activists have called on Japan’s government to legalise same-sex marriage country-wide.
Out of the G7 countries, Japan is the only one that doesn’t have that protection. While a landmark ruling from 2021 declared that queer citizens should have the right to get married in the country, a Japanese court recently ruled that banning same-sex marriage is constitutional.
Currently, the country’s constitution defines marriage as “mutual consent between both sexes” and bans same-sex marriage. The document also states that gay couples are unable to inherit each other’s assets or share parental rights over each other’s kids.
On 30 November, LGBTQ+ activists were left disappointed when a Tokyo court upheld the aforementioned ruling. However despite the court doubling down on its stance, the presiding judge also stated that the lack of a legal system and protections for same-sex couples infringes on their human rights (per CNN).
