High court declares Japan's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional

In Japan, on March 8, 2025, the Nagoya High Court made a significant ruling regarding same-sex marriage, declaring that the country's refusal to legally recognize such unions is unconstitutional. This ruling marks a continued trend in the Japanese judicial system, as it represents the ninth victory out of ten total rulings since plaintiffs first initiated lawsuits in 2019. The decision is part of a growing movement advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in Japan, where marriage is currently defined by civil law as being between a man and a woman. The court emphasized that this legal definition constitutes discrimination against same-sex couples and undermines their constitutional right to equality and personal dignity. In addition to the Nagoya ruling, four other high court decisions have similarly deemed the existing government policies unconstitutional, occurring in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Sapporo. The implications of these rulings could lead to substantial change, as supporters of marriage equality are now calling for the government to take swift action in light of the overwhelming success in the courts, which includes participation from more than thirty plaintiffs across five regions who filed these lawsuits. They argue that the current civil law is outdated and discriminatory, and that it fails to uphold the fundamental rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. Moving forward, the Osaka Court is expected to present its ruling later this month, with hopes that the Supreme Court will ultimately address these critical appeals and provide final confirmation on this pressing legal issue. As society continues to evolve, the growing number of successful rulings reflects a possible shift in public opinion towards greater acceptance and support for the recognition of same-sex marriage in Japan.