On Wednesday (March 17), The Sapporo District Court ruled that the Japanese public should have the right to get married. The ‘groundbreaking’ ruling is a landmark victory for the country as same-sex marriages are not legally recognised as Article 24 of Japan’s constitution defines marriage as “the mutual consent of both sexes”.
Judge Tomoko Takebe said in the historic ruling that preventing same-sex marriages violates Article 14 of the Japanese constitution, which bans discrimination based on “race, creed, sex, social status or family origin.” Following the ruling supporters and plaintiffs displayed pride flags and banners in support of the ruling.