Tokyo Court Upholds Same-Sex Marriage Ban, Leaving Couples Disheartened

Wed Dec 03 2025 05:44:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a surprising ruling, a Tokyo court has declared the ban on same-sex marriage constitutional, diverging from the recent trend of courts favoring marriage equality in Japan. This decision has raised profound disappointment among advocates and couples seeking legal recognition.

A recent ruling by a Tokyo court has upheld Japan's ban on same-sex marriage as constitutional, disappointing advocates for LGBTQ rights and hopeful couples. While other courts across the country previously deemed the ban unconstitutional, this ruling reflects ongoing legal struggles for marriage equality in Japan. The case will now move to the Supreme Court for further consideration.

A Japanese court has ruled the country's ban on same-sex marriage as constitutional - bucking a trend set by courts around the country that had raised hopes for marriage equality in Japan.

The ruling was met with disappointment from plaintiffs and their legal team who had gathered outside the Tokyo courthouse.

Japan is the only G7 country that does not fully recognise same-sex couples or offer them clear legal protection. But it's not an outlier in Asia, where only Taiwan, Thailand and Nepal offer same-sex marriages.

Ayumi Higashi, the judge who delivered the verdict, said laws on same-sex marriage should first be deliberated in parliament, the Mainichi reported.

Outside the Tokyo courthouse on Friday, the plaintiffs of the lawsuit and their legal team held up signs that read unjust verdict, local media reported.

Shino Kawachi, one of the plaintiffs, told local media that the ruling was difficult to comprehend. What is justice? Was the court even watching us? Were they considering the next generation? she asked.

Her partner, Hiromi Hatogai, expressed her outrage at the ruling and questioned if the judiciary was aligned with their struggles. Despite the setback, they vowed to continue their fight.

Amnesty International called the ruling a damaging step backwards on same-sex marriage and urged the Japanese government to legalize same-sex marriage to ensure equal rights for all couples.

This ruling from the Tokyo court adds a different dimension to the previous high court outcomes, with five court rulings declaring the ban unconstitutional while dismissing compensation claims. Overall, the Tokyo ruling marks an exception to recent legal developments advocating for marriage equality, and cases will advance to the Supreme Court for final adjudication.