Recognition of same-sex unions in Japan

Japan does not recognize same-sex marriages or civil unions.[1] Several municipalities and prefectures issue same-sex partnership certificates, which provide some benefits, but do not offer equal legal recognition.[2][3] Most polls conducted since 2013 have found that a majority of Japanese people support the legalization of same-sex marriage or partnerships,[4][5] and a 2018 poll found it supported by an overwhelming majority of those under the age of 60.[6]

Politically, the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Japanese Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party, Reiwa Shinsengumi,[7] and Komeito support legalizing same-sex marriage.[8] Nippon Ishin no Kai also supports same-sex marriage, but believes a constitutional amendment is necessary to legalize it.[8] However, the Liberal Democratic Party, which has been in power almost continuously since 1958, remains opposed to it.[9]

On 20 June 2022, a district court in Osaka upheld the constitutionality of the same-sex marriage ban.[10] Previously, on 17 March 2021, a district court in Sapporo had ruled it unconstitutional, arguing that laws or regulations that deprive same-sex couples of the legal benefits of marriage constitute "discriminatory treatment without a rational basis" and as such violate Article 14 of the Constitution of Japan. The Sapporo court also ruled that Article 24 of the Constitution, which defines marriage as "based only on the mutual consent of both sexes", does not prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages.[11] In May 2023, a district court in Nagoya ruled the same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional. While the rulings did not legalise same-sex marriage in Japan, it is anticipated that they may pressure the National Diet to act.[12] In June 2023, a Fukuoka district court ruled that the ban was in a "state of unconstitutionality".[13] In March 2024, the Tokyo District Court and the Sapporo High Court also issued similar verdicts, stating that the same-sex marriage ban violated the Constitution.[14][15][16]

  1. ^ Justin McCurry (30 October 2020). "Japan's 'love hotels' accused of anti-gay discrimination". The Guardian.
  2. ^ "Tokyo's Setagaya Ward to begin legally recognizing same-sex partnerships". Rocket News 24. 31 July 2015.
  3. ^ Williams, Joe (26 December 2015). "Another Japanese city to recognise same-sex relationships". Pink News. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bloomberg was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Japanese Court Puts Same-Sex Marriage on the Nation's Agenda". www.cfr.org. 30 March 2021.
  6. ^ Dooley, Ben (27 November 2019). "Japan's Support for Gay Marriage Is Soaring. But Can It Become Law?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference parties1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference parties was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "「同性婚は右、左の問題じゃない」同性婚を求める当事者と国会議員。政党や思想を超えて一堂に会した". HuffPost (in Japanese). 20 November 2020.
  10. ^ Magramo, Kathleen; Engels, Jorge; Ogura, Junko (21 June 2022). "Japanese court upholds ban on same-sex marriage". CNN. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  11. ^ "In Landmark Ruling, Court Says Japan's Ban On Same-Sex Marriage Is Unconstitutional". National Public Radio. 17 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Landmark Ruling Cracks Door Open for Same-Sex Marriage in Japan". The New York Times. Tokyo. 17 March 2021.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference Reuters20230608 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ "Tokyo court: Disregard for same-sex marriages a 'state of unconstitutionality'". 14 March 2024. NHK World-Japan. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  15. ^ Mao, Frances; Shiraishi, Sakiko (14 March 2024). "Japan same-sex marriage ban ruled unconstitutional again by courts". BBC. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  16. ^ Yamaguchi, Mari (15 March 2024). "A Japanese court says denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and calls for urgent change". AP News. Retrieved 17 March 2024.

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