Japanese Court Upholds Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

Japanese Court Upholds Ban on Same-Sex Marriage, Sparking Disappointment and Vows to Fight OnIn a significant setback for LGBTQ+ rights, a Japanese court has ruled that the countrys refusal to legalize same-sex marriage is constitutional. This decision from the Tokyo High Court is the last of six similar cases, all of which are now expected to head to the Supreme Court for a final ruling. The court stated that marriage under current law is largely understood as a union between a man and a woman.The ruling reversed a lower courts decision from last year and marks the first time a high court has sided against those seeking equal marriage rights in these six cases. Plaintiffs and their legal teams expressed deep disappointment, calling the decision unjust. They have vowed to continue their fight through the Supreme Court.Despite growing public support and backing from the business community, Japan remains the only member of the Group of Seven industrialized nations that does not recognize same-sex marriage or offer any other legally binding protections for LGBTQ+ couples. The conservative ruling party has been the main opponent, arguing that civil law marriage does not cover same-sex couples and emphasizes natural reproduction.This ruling is only the second time a court has found the governments stance constitutional, following a 2022 decision in Osaka. Over thirty plaintiffs have joined lawsuits across Japan since two thousand nineteen, arguing that current laws violate their constitutional rights to equality and freedom of marriage. The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.