Japan’s ban on recognizing same-sex unions is unconstitutional, a court finds. Here’s what to know
4 weeks ago

Japan’s ban on recognizing same-sex unions is unconstitutional, a court finds. Here’s what to know

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, a high court ruled Friday, the latest victory for the LGBGQ+ community to add pressure on the reluctant government. Friday’s decision by the Fukuoka High Court in southern Japan marks the eighth victory out of nine rulings since the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019. In Friday’s ruling, presiding Judge Takeshi Okada noted that the current civil law provisions barring the marriage of same-sex couples violates their fundamental right to the pursuit of happiness guaranteed under Article 13 of the Japanese Constitution. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, considered a centrist who has indicated support for same-sex marriage, told a parliamentary session last week he is aware of the sufferings of the same-sex couples and that he will not just “sit back and do nothing.” His comment raised hope among the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters.

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Japanese high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional
Trending News
4 weeks, 1 day ago

Japanese high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional

ABC  

Japan's refusal to recognise same-sex marriage has been ruled unconstitutional by a high court, in the latest of a string of decisions examining the ban. In Friday's ruling by the Fukuoka High Court, presiding judge Takeshi Okada noted that the current civil law provisions barring the marriage of same-sex couples violated their fundamental right to the pursuit of happiness guaranteed …

A second high court rules that Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional
2 months, 1 week ago

A second high court rules that Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional

LA Times  

Representatives of Japanese LGBTQ+ people and rights groups pose for photographers during a news conference in Tokyo. A second Japanese high court ruled Wednesday that the government’s policy against same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, the latest in a series of decisions upholding plaintiffs’ demands for marriage equality. The Tokyo High Court called the ongoing ban “a groundless legal discrimination based on …

Court in Japan allows transgender woman to officially change gender without compulsory surgery
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Court in Japan allows transgender woman to officially change gender without compulsory surgery

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Japanese high court has …

Japan court rules ban on same-sex marriage is ‘unconstitutional’
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Japan court rules ban on same-sex marriage is ‘unconstitutional’

Al Jazeera  

Japan is only G7 nation that excludes same-sex unions with conservative government criticised as stonewalling diversity. A high court in Japan has ruled that the country’s ban on same-sex marriage is “unconstitutional” as pressure mounts for such unions to be legalised. The ruling in Sapporo, the first High Court decision on same-sex marriage in the country, emphatically shows the trend …

On Valentine’s Day, LGBTQ+ activists in Japan call for the right for same-sex couples to marry
10 months, 3 weeks ago

On Valentine’s Day, LGBTQ+ activists in Japan call for the right for same-sex couples to marry

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Activists and LGBTQ+ community members handed out colorful chocolate candy for Valentine’s Day in Tokyo on Wednesday, marking the fifth anniversary of the launch of a legal battle to achieve marriage equality for same-sex couples. Gathered outside of a busy downtown Tokyo train station, activists and LGBTQ+ community members urged for equal marriage rights as they handed out …

On Valentine's Day, LGBTQ+ activists in Japan call for the right for same-sex couples to marry
10 months, 3 weeks ago

On Valentine's Day, LGBTQ+ activists in Japan call for the right for same-sex couples to marry

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Activists and LGBTQ+ community members …

India’s Supreme Court refuses to legalize same-sex marriage
1 year, 2 months ago

India’s Supreme Court refuses to legalize same-sex marriage

Hindustan Times  

India’s Supreme Court refuses to legalize same-sex marriage India's top court on Tuesday declined to allow same-sex marriages in the country.. India's top court on Tuesday declined to allow same-sex marriages in the country. 1 / 10 India’s Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to legalize same-sex marriages. 2 / 10 The five-judge Constitution bench comprised of the Chief Justice of …

Lower house of Japan’s Parliament passes bill to promote LGBTQ+ awareness
1 year, 6 months ago

Lower house of Japan’s Parliament passes bill to promote LGBTQ+ awareness

The Hindu  

The powerful lower house of Japan's parliament on June 13 passed a bill to promote understanding of LGBTQ+ issues amid protests by activists that last-minute revisions by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's conservative party favoured opponents of sexual equality instead of guaranteeing equal rights. LGBTQ+ activists have increased their efforts to achieve an anti-discrimination law since a former Kishida aide said …

Lower house of Japan’s parliament passes bill to promote LGBTQ+ awareness, but not guarantee rights
1 year, 6 months ago

Lower house of Japan’s parliament passes bill to promote LGBTQ+ awareness, but not guarantee rights

Associated Press  

TOKYO — The powerful lower house of Japan’s parliament passed a bill Tuesday to promote understanding of LGBTQ+ issues amid protests by activists who say last-minute revisions by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s conservative party favored opponents of sexual equality instead of guaranteeing equal rights. LGBTQ+ activists have increased their efforts to achieve an anti-discrimination law since a former Kishida aide …

Japan’s denial of same-sex marriage, other LGTBQ+ protections looks unconstitutional, judge rules
1 year, 7 months ago

Japan’s denial of same-sex marriage, other LGTBQ+ protections looks unconstitutional, judge rules

Associated Press  

TOKYO — A Japanese court ruled Thursday that the lack of legal protections for LGTBQ+ people appeared to be unconstitutional, in the latest ruling that may help push the country toward allowing same-sex marriage. The ruling, coming during Gay Pride Month, said legalizing same-sex marriage is an international trend and that the United Nations’ human rights committee has repeatedly urged …

‘Major step’ for equality as Japan court rules against same-sex marriage ban
1 year, 7 months ago

‘Major step’ for equality as Japan court rules against same-sex marriage ban

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A court has ruled that …

377 order implies gay couples can form marriage-like unions: Supreme Court
1 year, 8 months ago

377 order implies gay couples can form marriage-like unions: Supreme Court

Hindustan Times  

By decriminalising homosexuality in 2018, the Supreme Court not only ratified consensual sexual relations between gay couples but also recognised that same-sex couples could stay in a stable, “marriage-like” relationship, a Constitution bench observed on Thursday, adding it is now for the apex court to mull over redefining the evolving notion of marriage in the wake of demands for legal …

'When the Hindu Code came...': Petitioners on Day 2 of same-sex marriage hearing in Supreme Court | Top 5 quotes
1 year, 8 months ago

'When the Hindu Code came...': Petitioners on Day 2 of same-sex marriage hearing in Supreme Court | Top 5 quotes

Hindustan Times  

The Supreme Court on Wednesday resumed its hearing on the issue of recognising “same-sex marriage”. “The State should come forward and provide recognition to same-sex marriage,” senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing one of the petitioners, argued before the Supreme Court that “the State should come forward and provide recognition to same-sex marriage.” Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar …

LGBTQ summit calls on Japan to enact anti-discrimination law
1 year, 9 months ago

LGBTQ summit calls on Japan to enact anti-discrimination law

Associated Press  

Japanese LGBTQ activists and supporters on Thursday held an inaugural Pride 7 Summit in Tokyo, where they called on Group of Seven governments to promote and strengthen support and legal protections for LGBTQ people and urged Japan’s government to enact an anti-discrimination law before it hosts this year’s G-7 summit in May. Japan is the only G-7 country that does …

Explained | What is India’s stand on same-sex marriage?
1 year, 9 months ago

Explained | What is India’s stand on same-sex marriage?

The Hindu  

The story so far: On March 13, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. The Courts, leaning on Article 21 that guarantees the right to life and liberty, have time and again ruled in favour of inter-faith and inter-caste marriages, directing the police and other rights organisations to give them protection when they were threatened by parents or …

Same-sex marriage pleas to be heard by SC Constitution bench, hearings to begin April 18
1 year, 9 months ago

Same-sex marriage pleas to be heard by SC Constitution bench, hearings to begin April 18

India Today  

The Supreme Court on Monday referred the batch of petitions seeking recognition of same-sex marriages to a five-judge Constitution bench and said that it will begin hearing the case from April 18. Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul told the court that either the Special Marriage Act could be harmoniously construed to recognise same-sex marriage, or the bench could rely on …

India’s government opposes legalisation of same sex marriages
1 year, 9 months ago

India’s government opposes legalisation of same sex marriages

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India’s government has opposed the …

'Heterosexual Marriages The Norm' : Centre Opposes Pleas In Supreme Court Seeking Recognition For Same-Sex Marriages
1 year, 9 months ago

'Heterosexual Marriages The Norm' : Centre Opposes Pleas In Supreme Court Seeking Recognition For Same-Sex Marriages

Live Law  

The notion of marriage itself necessarily presupposes a union between two persons of the opposite sex, said the Central Government in its counter-affidavit filed in the Supreme Court opposing a bunch of petitions which seek legal recognition for same-sex marriage.The Centre said that the union between persons of opposite sex is "socially, culturally and legally ingrained into the very idea. …

Japan's main opposition party submits bill to parliament to approve same-sex marriage
1 year, 10 months ago

Japan's main opposition party submits bill to parliament to approve same-sex marriage

Firstpost  

Japan is the only Group of Seven nation that does not recognise same-sex marriage and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has come under increasing scrutiny over LGBTQ protections in recent weeks Tokyo, Japan: Japan’s main opposition party submitted a bill to parliament Monday to approve same-sex marriage, hoping to pile pressure on the government before the country hosts the G7 summit …

Japan PM: Ban on same-sex marriage not discrimination
1 year, 10 months ago

Japan PM: Ban on same-sex marriage not discrimination

Associated Press  

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the country’s ban on same-sex marriage is not discriminatory, insisting that constitutional freedom of marriage only envisions heterosexual unions, a comment that triggered criticism he is backtracking despite his recent apology and meeting with LGBTQ people. Kishida’s governing Liberal Democratic Party, known for its conservative family values and reluctance to promote gender equality and …

Supreme Court seeks govt response on including same-sex marriage under Special Marriage Act
2 years, 1 month ago

Supreme Court seeks govt response on including same-sex marriage under Special Marriage Act

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on Friday sought the government’s response to pleas to allow solemnisation of same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act. The Special Marriage Act of 1954 provides a civil form of marriage for couples who cannot marry under their personal law. “The Act is ultra vires the Constitution to the extent it discriminates between same-sex couples and opposite …

End of Singapore's gay sex-ban is small step in Asia-Pacific
2 years, 4 months ago

End of Singapore's gay sex-ban is small step in Asia-Pacific

The Independent  

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Although many places have decriminalized sexual acts between people of the same …

US House passes bill to protect same-sex marriages after Supreme Court's ruling on abortion
2 years, 5 months ago

US House passes bill to protect same-sex marriages after Supreme Court's ruling on abortion

India Today  

The US House overwhelmingly approved legislation Tuesday to protect same-sex and interracial marriages amid concerns that the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v Wade abortion access could jeopardize other rights criticized by many conservatives. “The extremist right-wing majority on the Supreme Court has put our country down a perilous path,” said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., in a floor speech …

Japan court says ban on same-sex marriage constitutional
2 years, 6 months ago

Japan court says ban on same-sex marriage constitutional

Associated Press  

TOKYO — A Japanese court ruled Monday that the country’s ban on same-sex marriage does not violate the constitution, and rejected demands for compensation by three couples who said their right to free union and equality has been violated. The Osaka District Court ruling is the second decision on the issue, and disagrees with a ruling last year by a …

Japan court says ban on same-sex marriage constitutional
2 years, 6 months ago

Japan court says ban on same-sex marriage constitutional

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Japanese court ruled Monday …

Failure to recognise same-sex marriages not unconstitutional: Japanese court
2 years, 6 months ago

Failure to recognise same-sex marriages not unconstitutional: Japanese court

Firstpost  

In recent years, however, some local authorities have made efforts to recognise same-sex unions. A Japanese court ruled on Monday that the country’s failure to recognise same-sex marriage is constitutional, in a setback for activists after a landmark verdict last year found the opposite. The district court in western Japan’s Osaka rejected arguments made by three same-sex couples as part …

Same-sex marriage ban is not unconstitutional: Japan court
2 years, 6 months ago

Same-sex marriage ban is not unconstitutional: Japan court

India Today  

An Osaka court on Monday ruled that Japan's ban on same-sex marriage was not "unconstitutional", dealing a setback to LGBTQ rights activists in the only Group of Seven nation that doesn't allow people of the same gender to marry. The ruling dashes activists' hopes of raising pressure on Japan's government to address the issue after a Sapporo court in March …

Japan court upholds ban on same-sex marriage
2 years, 6 months ago

Japan court upholds ban on same-sex marriage

Al Jazeera  

Osaka court’s ruling deals blow to LGBTQ rights in Japan, the only G7 nation that bans same-sex marriage. A court in Osaka has dismissed a lawsuit that argued Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. The ruling did, however, recognise that the ban infringed on individual dignity and said that “there have not been enough discussions among people in Japan” …

Tokyo to recognize same-sex unions but not as legal marriage
2 years, 7 months ago

Tokyo to recognize same-sex unions but not as legal marriage

The Hindu  

Japan's capital has announced it will start recognizing same-sex partnerships to ease the burdens faced by residents in their daily lives, but the unions will not be considered legal marriages. Japan does not legally recognize same-sex marriages, and LGBTQ people often face discrimination at school, work and at home, causing many to hide their sexual identities. Tokyo's Shibuya district in …

Tokyo to recognize same-sex unions but not as legal marriage
2 years, 7 months ago

Tokyo to recognize same-sex unions but not as legal marriage

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Japan's capital has announced it …

Two decades since the world's first legal same-sex marriages, where do we stand now?
3 years, 9 months ago

Two decades since the world's first legal same-sex marriages, where do we stand now?

Firstpost  

By David Crary and Mike Corder Twenty years ago, just after the stroke of midnight on 1 April, the mayor of Amsterdam married four couples in City Hall as the Netherlands became the first country in the world with legalised same-sex marriages. The pairs were among four couples to get married under a new law which took effect April 1, …

LGBT groups call for greater equality before the Tokyo Olympics
3 years, 9 months ago

LGBT groups call for greater equality before the Tokyo Olympics

Live Mint  

Activists submitted a petition with over 106,000 signatures to Japan's ruling party Thursday, calling for an LGBT equality law to be enacted before the Tokyo Games, saying Japan as host nation should live up to the Olympic charter banning gender and sexual discrimination. We need legislation to guarantee human rights and equality of LGBT people,” said Yuri Igarashi, director of …

Court says Japan's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional
3 years, 9 months ago

Court says Japan's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Japanese court ruled Wednesday …

Taiwan legalizes same-sex marriage
5 years, 7 months ago

Taiwan legalizes same-sex marriage

The Quint  

Taipei, May 17 Taiwan's Parliament on Friday legalized same-sex marriage following a vote, a landmark decision that makes the self-ruled island the first in Asia to pass gay marriage legislation. On Friday, lawmakers debated three different bills to legalize same-sex unions - the most progressive of which was passed. The two other bills, submitted by conservative lawmakers, refer to partnerships …

Same-Sex Couples Sue For The Right To Marry In Japan
5 years, 10 months ago

Same-Sex Couples Sue For The Right To Marry In Japan

NPR  

Same-Sex Couples Sue For The Right To Marry In Japan Enlarge this image toggle caption Christopher Jue/Getty Images Christopher Jue/Getty Images Thirteen same-sex couples have filed a lawsuit in Japan arguing that the country's rejection of same-sex marriage violates their constitutional rights. While no laws on the books technically prohibit same-sex marriage, Japan's government has interpreted the constitution's marriage provisions …

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