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# Japanese court rules same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/japanese-court-rules-same-sex-marriage-ban-is-unconstitutional/
- Published: 2021-03-20T17:33:34.000Z
- Updated: 2021-03-20T07:34:12.000Z
- Description: A district court in Japan has ruled that criminalising same-sex marriage in unconstitutional.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Queer Corner, Asia, japan, LGBTQ, LGBTQ Marriage, LGBTQ+ equality, Marriage equality, Same Sex Marriage, Taiwan

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/japan-marriage-equality-ruling-600-400.jpg)

A district court in **Japan** has ruled that criminalising same-sex marriage in unconstitutional, after 13 same-sex couples filed a lawsuit against the government in 2019 due to it being the only G7 country which has not yet enforced marriage equality regulations. According to *[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSKBN2B909X?ref=scenemag.co.uk),* the landmark ruling, made by the **Sapporo** district court, stated: *“Sexual orientation cannot be changed or selected by a person’s will. It is discriminatory treatment…that they cannot receive even some of the legal benefits that heterosexuals do.”*

Japan’s constitution outlaws forced marriage, with the lawyers of the 13 couples arguing these regulations should not apply to same-sex unions. The court ruling confirmed this, after which plaintiffs and activists displayed rainbow banners outside the court in celebration. One of the lawyers, **Takeharu Kato**, described the verdict as *“revolutionary”,* and hopes the government will shortly begin discussing the possibility of marriage equality.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/pride-from-japan.jpg)

One of the plaintiffs told the *[BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-56425002?ref=scenemag.co.uk): “This is one huge step forward in Japan… We are moving closer to making our dream come true.”* LGBTQ+ activists and same-sex couples are hoping Japan will follow in **Taiwan’s** footsteps after it became the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019.