Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register TOKYO, June 20 (Reuters) – A Japanese court on Monday ruled that banning gay marriage was unconstitutional, a setback for LGBTQ rights activists in the only G7 nation that does not allow same-sex marriage. . Three same-sex couples – two men, one female – have filed a lawsuit in Osaka District Court, the only one of its kind in Japan. In addition to rejecting their claim that not being able to get married was unconstitutional, the court rejected their claims for compensation of 1 million yen ($ 7,400) for each couple. The ruling disproves activists’ hopes of putting pressure on the government to address the issue, after a Sapporo court in March 2021 ruled in favor of a claim that unmarried same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register “This is really disappointing,” said Gon Matsunaka, an LGBTQ activist in Tokyo. “After Sapporo’s decision, we hoped for the same decision or something even better.” The Japanese Constitution stipulates that marriage is based on the “mutual consent of both sexes.” But the introduction of same-sex companionship rights in Tokyo last week, along with rising support for opinion polls, has raised hopes among activists and lawyers in the Osaka case.
‘GOOD OPPORTUNITY’
Japanese law is considered relatively liberal in some areas by Asian standards, but across the continent only Taiwan has legalized same-sex marriage. Under Japanese law, members of same-sex couples are not allowed to marry legally, can not inherit each other’s property – such as a house they may share – and also have no parental rights over each other’s children. Although cohabitation certificates issued by some municipalities help same-sex couples rent a place together and have the right to visit the hospital, they do not provide them with the full legal rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Last week, the Tokyo prefecture government passed a bill recognizing same-sex partnership agreements, meaning that local governments that cover more than half of Japan’s population now offer such recognition. While Prime Minister Fumio Cisida said the issue should be carefully considered, his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has not revealed any plans to reconsider the issue or propose legislation, although some senior LDP officials are in favor of the reform. An upcoming case in Tokyo means that the public debate on the issue will continue, especially in the capital, where a local government poll late last year found that about 70% were in favor of same-sex marriage. Legalizing same-sex marriage would have far-reaching consequences both socially and economically, activists say, making it easier for companies to attract and retain talented workers and even help attract foreign companies to the world’s third-largest economy. . “If Japan wants to take the lead in Asia again, it has a really good chance right now,” said Masa Yanagisawa, head of Goldman Sachs’s prime services and board member of the Marriage for all Japan activist group. from the Osaka verdict. “International companies are reviewing their strategy for Asia and the integration of LGBTQs is becoming an issue …. International companies do not want to invest in a site that is not LGBTQ friendly.” ($ 1 = 134.8800 yen) Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Additional report by Rikako Maruyama. Editing by Kenneth Maxwell and Bradley Perrett Our role models: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
