Categories: WORLD

Japanese Court Upholds Ban On Same–S-e-x Marriage

Plaintiffs outside the Osaka district court in Japan on June 20. The court ruled the country's ban on same-sex marriage does not violate the constitution.

Plaintiffs outside the Osaka district court in Japan on June 20. The court ruled the country’s ban on same-sex marriage does not violate the constitution.

Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage is not unconstitutional, a court has ruled, dealing a blow to gay couples and activists seeking greater rights for the LGBTQ community.

Sponsored
The Osaka district court on Monday dismissed a lawsuit in which three same-sex couples were seeking compensation from the government of 1 million yen (about $7,400) per person, arguing the lack of recognition of same-sex marriages violated their constitutional right to equality.
But the court sided with the government, ruling that under the constitution the definition of marriage did not extend to partnerships between people of the same gender, public broadcaster NHK reported.
The ruling of the Osaka court dashed the hopes of gay rights activists who are pressuring the government to rethink its opposition to same-sex marriage.
The Osaka court’s ruling came in stark contrast to a historic judgment by the Sapporo district court in Japan’s northern Hokkaido prefecture in March 2021.
On that occasion, the Sapporo court ruled the government’s failure to recognize same-sex marriage violated the constitutional right to equality — though it too had dismissed a similar claim for damages.
Japan remains the only Group of Seven (G7) country that has not recognized either same-sex civil unions or same-sex marriage at a national level.
However, some parts of the country issue “partnership certificates” that grant some rights to same-sex couples, such as allowing them to rent properties and have hospital visitation rights.

Same-sex marriages in Asia

Japan, where homosexuality has been legal since 1880, is relatively liberal compared to some Asian nations.
For example, gay sex remains illegal in Singapore despite growing calls to change the colonial-era law.
India’s Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that gay sex was no longer a criminal offense. However, the country does not recognize same-sex marriages.
China also does not recognize same-sex marriages despite growing awareness of LGBTQ issues in the country. While there are no laws against same-sex relationships in China, it remains a taboo topic that is routinely scrutinized and even censored on social media.
Some corners of Asia have seen recent progress on the issue, however.
In 2019, the self-ruled island of Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
And this month, Thailand edged closer to becoming the first place in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex unions when lawmakers passed four different bills aiming to provide greater rights to gay couples, such as the ability to adopt children and manage assets jointly.
SPONSORED
ABN Editor 2

An open source journalist and content manager

Share
Published by
ABN Editor 2
Tags: Government
3 years ago

Recent Posts

Hon. Amobi Celebrates Uche Ogah On His 54th Birthday

Hon. Amobi Ogah, the representative of Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, has felicitated with the former Minister…

10 hours ago

Sir King Lucky Fred Nwoko Honored With Distinctive Award Of Excellence By Afarata Ibeku Development Association

The Afarata Ibeku Development Association (AIDA), based in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, has presented the…

11 hours ago

Senator Kalu Pays Friendly Visit To President Tinubu, Commends Leadership Efforts (Photos)

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District,…

12 hours ago

Gov Otti Approves N250,000 Monthly Stipend For Abia Traditional Rulers

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved a new monthly stipend of…

13 hours ago

Forest Victory Hands Brentford First Home Defeat Of The Season

Nottingham Forest defeated Brentford 2-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, handing them their…

15 hours ago

Umahi: Construction Ongoing On Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway

Sen. Dave Umahi, the Works Minister, gave assurances on Saturday in Lagos that the Sokoto-Badagry…

15 hours ago