A Japanese high court ruled Thursday the country’s lack of legal recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, in a move likely to further mount pressure on the government to do more to protect sexual minorities.

The Sapporo High Court upheld the lower court’s landmark verdict in 2021 that said non-recognition of same-sex marriage violates the right to equality protected under the Constitution but rejected a total of 6 million yen ($40,600) in damages sought by three same-sex couples in Hokkaido against the state for emotional distress.

The plaintiffs said they will appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.

  • @kautauEnglish
    5•9 months ago

    My guess is it means because the high court voted it as unconstitutional, they are raising the issue to Japan’s Supreme Court to make it a national ruling

    • @NateNate60English
      2•9 months ago

      Japan isn’t a federation, there is no “federal”

      • @kautauEnglish
        2•9 months ago

        True, my word of choice should have been national, thanks for pointing that out, I’ll edit my comment