A court in Japan has determined that the nation’s prohibition on same-sex marriage is constitutional, diverging from a pattern seen in other jurisdictions that had inspired hopes for marriage equality within the country.
This decision was met with dismay by the plaintiffs and their legal representatives who had assembled outside the Tokyo courthouse to hear the verdict.
Currently, Japan remains the sole member of the G7 that does not provide full recognition or legal protections for same-sex couples. However, it is not alone in Asia, where only Taiwan, Thailand, and Nepal have legalized same-sex marriage.
Judge’s Comments and Reactions
Ayumi Higashi, the judge who announced the decision, stated that discussions concerning same-sex marriage laws should primarily take place in parliament, according to reports.
Outside the courthouse, plaintiffs and their attorneys displayed placards declaring
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