Osaka High Court Rules Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

The Osaka High Court ruled on March 25 that Japan's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, marking the fifth such decision by a high court in the country. This ruling overturns a previous decision by the Osaka District Court and aligns with similar judgments from other high courts in Sapporo, Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Nagoya. The court found that existing civil law provisions undermine the dignity of same-sex couples and violate constitutional guarantees of equality and marriage rights. While the ruling intensifies pressure on Japanese lawmakers to recognize same-sex unions, the court rejected the plaintiffs' claims for state compensation. This landmark decision highlights Japan's status as the only G7 nation without legal protections for same-sex partnerships. The case involved three same-sex couples from Aichi, Kyoto, and Kagawa prefectures who sought damages from the government for the lack of legal recognition.