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In landmark ruling, Japan court says not allowing same-sex marriage unconstitutional
Mar 17, 2021 11:35 AM PHT
Reuters
A Japenese district court on Wednesday, March 17, ruled that not allowing same-sex couples to marry is unconstitutional, setting a new precedent in the only G7 nation not to fully recognize same-sex partnership, though it rejected demands for damages to be paid.
The ruling, the first in Japan on the legality of same-sex marriages, is a major symbolic victory in a country where the constitution defines marriage as being based on the mutual consent of both sexes.
As it currently stands, same-sex couples can t inherit their partner s assets – such as the house they may have shared – and also have no parental rights to any children their partners may have.
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TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese court ruled on Wednesday that not allowing same-sex couples to get married is “unconstitutional,” setting a precedent in the only G7 nation not to fully recognise same-sex partnership.
The ruling by a district court, the first in Japan on the legality of same-sex marriages, is a major symbolic victory in a country where the constitution still defines marriage as being based on “the mutual consent of both sexes”.
Following the ruling, plaintiffs and supporters unfurled rainbow flags and banners in front of the court.
While a new law will be needed before same-sex marriages can actually take place - which could take some time in socially conservative Japan - the plaintiffs’ lawyer called the ruling “revolutionary”, while LGBT activists deemed it life-changing.