Marriage equality campaigners urged Japan's supreme court on Wednesday to rule the country's failure to recognize same-sex unions unconstitutional, following a recent setback at the Tokyo High Court. The Tokyo court ruled last week that Japan's refusal to acknowledge same-sex marriages does not violate the constitution, shocking the LGBTQ+ community.
The battle over same-sex marriage in Japan has reached the nation's highest court. Campaigners asked the supreme court to consider the lives of individuals who dreamed of marriage but were consistently excluded from the legal system, urging it to declare the failure to recognize same-sex unions unconstitutional.
This appeal follows a disappointing ruling from the Tokyo High Court last week, which determined that Japan's refusal to acknowledge same-sex marriages does not breach the constitution. The decision came as a shock to the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting ongoing tensions in human rights discussions.
Across Japan, more than a dozen couples have filed lawsuits seeking damages from the state for being prevented from marrying. These cases underscore broader debates on constitutional rights and equality, with the supreme court's forthcoming decision potentially shaping future legal precedents. Key elements include Japanese courts, Tokyo, same-sex marriage, the constitution, LGBTQ issues, human rights, and the supreme court.