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A Japanese court dismissed a proceeding filed on Monday by three same-sex couples who alleged that Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.
Three same-sex couples in their 30s and 50s claimed in the Osaka District Court that the law prohibiting marriage was “unjust discrimination” and sought damages of 1 million yen ($ 7,400) per person.
In light of Japanese law, which excludes same-sex marriage, “marriage is based solely on the agreement of both sexes,” the court dismissed their claim and ruled that the ban was constitutional.
The court said there was not enough debate in Japan about legalizing same-sex marriage, but in the future a new system could be formed to address the interests of same-sex couples.
Three couples, two men and one woman, will appeal to the Kyodo News decision. report.
“It’s very disappointing. I’m not sure. [by the court’s verdict] Machi Sakata, one of the plaintiffs, said.
Their lawyers alleged that the Osaka District Court did not provide solid grounds to overturn the Sapporo Court’s ruling from last year that the ban on same-sex marriage violated the guarantee of equality in the Japanese Constitution.
In March 2021, three couples of the same sex filed a lawsuit in the Sapporo District Court and claimed damages of 1 million yen per person. The court ruled in favor of their allegations, but stated that they were not entitled to damages.
Boram Chan, an East Asian researcher at Amnesty International, said Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage is a “damaging setback” for equal rights in same-sex marriage and “discriminatory” for same-sex couples. Stated.
“Last year’s decision by the Sapporo District Court that Japan’s ban on marriage was unconstitutional gave hope for the development of this issue, but today’s decision is a devastating blow to same-sex couples who feel they have returned to square. “Give” Chan said.
and statement, Human rights groups have called on the Government of Japan to “thoroughly review all laws, policies and practices that discriminate against same-sex couples in all areas.”
However, a Ministry of Justice official told Kyodo News that “the court has acknowledged our claim that the provisions of the Civil Code regarding marriage do not violate the Constitution.”
The Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. Human Rights CampaignTaiwan, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand have legalized same-sex marriage in a total of 31 countries.
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Aldgra Fredly is a Malaysia-based freelance writer featuring the Epoch Times Asia Pacific News.
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