Japan’s refusal to recognise same-sex marriage unconstitutional, court finds

A supporter of the LGBT community holds up a poster reading ‘Legalise the same-sex marriage’ outside the Tokyo district court (Hiro Komae/AP)

A Japanese high court on Friday ruled that Japan’s refusal to legally recognize same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, the latest victory for same-sex couples and their supporters seeking equal rights.

Friday’s decision by the Nagoya High Court, in central Japan, marks the ninth victory out of 10 rulings since the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019.