🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 44 (from laksa073)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa044.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://impunitywatch.com/japan-high-courts-rule-same-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://impunitywatch.com/japan-high-courts-rule-same-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/japan-high-courts-rule-same-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional\/","crawl_time":1775999123,"first_indexed_time":1745831039,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,impunitywatch!\/japan-high-courts-rule-same-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional\/ s443","src_root_hash":"1628297320669719844","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional - Impunity Watch – Syracuse University","meta_descriptions":[],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Skip to Content\nAbout Us\nAfrica Rights Watch\nEuropean Rights Watch\nICC Rights Watch\nInter-American Rights Watch\nCOVID-19 Blog Series\nJournal of Global Rights and Organizations\nSpecial Features\nTopics\nArchived Posts\nContact Us\nPeople Search\nHome\nJapan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional - Impunity Watch\nJapan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional\nBy: Sarah Peck\nImpunity Watch News Staff Writer\nNAGOYA AND OSAKA, Japan\n– In March 2025, Japan’s Nagoya and Osaka High Courts issued landmark rulings declaring the country’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, marking significant progress in the nation’s marriage equality movement.\n \nGay Pride Parade in Tokyo. Photo Courtesy of Erika Lu.\n \nThe Nagoya High Court ruled on March 7, 2025, that the provisions of the Civil Code and the Family Register Law, which do not recognize same-sex marriages, violate the constitutional guarantee of equality under Article 14. Presiding Judge Nobuhiro Katada stated that excluding same-sex couples from legal marriage lacks a reasonable basis and constitutes unlawful discrimination. The court emphasized that same-sex couples are equally capable of forming lasting psychological connections and that denying them marriage rights can lead to serious issues, particularly for children raised by such couples. Despite this, the court did not find the government liable for compensation, citing the recent and rapidly increasing awareness of the need to legalize same-sex marriage.\nShortly thereafter, on March 25, 2025, the Osaka High Court held that Japan’s lack of recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Presiding Judge Kumiko Honda ruled that the Civil Code and Family Register Act provisions violate the right to equality as set out in Article 14 of the Constitution. While upholding the lower court’s decision not to award damages, the court recognized that the marriage ban breaches constitutional rights.\nThese rulings represent the fourth and fifth high court decisions in Japan declaring the same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, following similar judgments from the Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka High Courts. Despite growing judicial consensus, the Japanese government has been slow to respond, and legislative action remains conspicuously absent. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion.\nAdvocacy groups and plaintiffs have expressed frustration over the lack of legislative action, emphasizing that the overwhelming number of court victories should prompt the government to act swiftly in legalizing same-sex marriage. Public support for marriage equality has been growing, with surveys indicating increasing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Japanese citizens.  \nThese rulings underscore a significant shift in Japan’s legal landscape concerning LGBTQ+ rights. The outcomes of these cases may influence future deliberations in Japan’s Supreme Court and potentially prompt legislative changes to ensure marriage equality.\nAs Japan’s legal institutions increasingly affirm marriage equality, the pressure mounts on lawmakers to translate these rulings into lasting legislative reform—both for Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens and as a signal to its neighbors in East Asia.\nFor further information, please see:\nThe Asahi Shimbun – 4th high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 7 Mar. 2025\nThe Asahi Shimbun – Osaka High Court rules gay marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025\nAP News – Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriage in law is unconstitutional, a court finds – 7 Mar. 2025\nThe Nation – Another Japanese court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025\nAuthor:\nAlexa Connaughton","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to Content](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/japan-high-courts-rule-same-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional\/#content-primary)\n\n#\n\\|\n\n## [Impunity Watch](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/)\n\nOpen  Close primary navigation\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/about-us\/)\n- [Africa Rights Watch](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/africa-rights-watch\/)\n- [European Rights Watch](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/european-rights-watch\/)\n- [ICC Rights Watch](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/icc-rights-watch\/)\n- [Inter-American Rights Watch](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/inter-american-rights-watch\/)\n- [COVID-19 Blog Series](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/covid-19-blog-series\/)\n- [Journal of Global Rights and Organizations](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/journal\/)\n- [Special Features](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/special-features\/)\n- [Topics](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/topics\/)\n- [Archived Posts](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/archived-posts\/)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/contact-us\/)\n\n[People Search](http:\/\/directory.syr.edu\/)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/)\n- Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional - Impunity Watch\n\n# Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional\nApril 21, 2025\n\n*By: Sarah Peck*\n\n*Impunity Watch News Staff Writer*\n\n**NAGOYA AND OSAKA, Japan** – In March 2025, Japan’s Nagoya and Osaka High Courts issued landmark rulings declaring the country’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, marking significant progress in the nation’s marriage equality movement.\n\n|   |   |   |\n|---|---|---|\n|   | [![](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Being_LGBTQ_in_Japan_3-300x200.jpg)](https:\/\/japan-dev.com\/blog\/is-japan-lgbtq-friendly) *Gay Pride Parade in Tokyo. Photo Courtesy of Erika Lu.* |   |\n\nThe Nagoya High Court ruled on March 7, 2025, that the provisions of the Civil Code and the Family Register Law, which do not recognize same-sex marriages, violate the constitutional guarantee of equality under Article 14. Presiding Judge Nobuhiro Katada stated that excluding same-sex couples from legal marriage lacks a reasonable basis and constitutes unlawful discrimination. The court emphasized that same-sex couples are equally capable of forming lasting psychological connections and that denying them marriage rights can lead to serious issues, particularly for children raised by such couples. Despite this, the court did not find the government liable for compensation, citing the recent and rapidly increasing awareness of the need to legalize same-sex marriage.\n\nShortly thereafter, on March 25, 2025, the Osaka High Court held that Japan’s lack of recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Presiding Judge Kumiko Honda ruled that the Civil Code and Family Register Act provisions violate the right to equality as set out in Article 14 of the Constitution. While upholding the lower court’s decision not to award damages, the court recognized that the marriage ban breaches constitutional rights.\n\nThese rulings represent the fourth and fifth high court decisions in Japan declaring the same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, following similar judgments from the Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka High Courts. Despite growing judicial consensus, the Japanese government has been slow to respond, and legislative action remains conspicuously absent. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion.\n\nAdvocacy groups and plaintiffs have expressed frustration over the lack of legislative action, emphasizing that the overwhelming number of court victories should prompt the government to act swiftly in legalizing same-sex marriage. Public support for marriage equality has been growing, with surveys indicating increasing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Japanese citizens.\n\nThese rulings underscore a significant shift in Japan’s legal landscape concerning LGBTQ+ rights. The outcomes of these cases may influence future deliberations in Japan’s Supreme Court and potentially prompt legislative changes to ensure marriage equality. As Japan’s legal institutions increasingly affirm marriage equality, the pressure mounts on lawmakers to translate these rulings into lasting legislative reform—both for Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens and as a signal to its neighbors in East Asia.\n\n*For further information, please see:*\n\n[The Asahi Shimbun – 4th high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 7 Mar. 2025](https:\/\/www.asahi.com\/ajw\/articles\/15659265)\n\n[The Asahi Shimbun – Osaka High Court rules gay marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025](https:\/\/www.asahi.com\/ajw\/articles\/15682787)\n\n[AP News – Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriage in law is unconstitutional, a court finds – 7 Mar. 2025](https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/japan-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-ruling-nagoya-court-32d9b9ef069afae58e33b643a6ac497d)\n\n[The Nation – Another Japanese court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025](https:\/\/www.nationthailand.com\/news\/world\/40047851)\n\n![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25bbbf4903242f26fa12ff609e032e57?s=80&d=mm&r=g)\n\n#### Author: Alexa Connaughton\n\n## Post a New Comment\n[Click here to cancel reply.](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/japan-high-courts-rule-same-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional\/#respond)\n\nSyracuse University College of Law\n\n- [Like Us on Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/impunitywatch\/ \"Facebook URL\")\n- [Follow Us on Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/impunitweet?lang=en \"Twitter URL\")\n- [Follow Us on Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/impunitywatchjgro\/ \"Instagram URL\")\n\n© [Syracuse University](https:\/\/www.syracuse.edu\/). *Knowledge crowns those who seek her.*  \\|\n\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/www.syracuse.edu\/life\/accessibility-diversity\/accessible-syracuse\/)\n- [Accreditation](http:\/\/middlestates.syr.edu\/)\n- [Emergencies](https:\/\/www.syracuse.edu\/about\/contact\/emergencies\/)\n- [Privacy](https:\/\/www.syracuse.edu\/about\/site\/privacy-policy\/)","attrs_readable_markdown":"[Skip to Content](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/japan-high-courts-rule-same-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional\/#content-primary)\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/about-us\/)\n- [Africa Rights Watch](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/africa-rights-watch\/)\n- [European Rights Watch](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/european-rights-watch\/)\n- [ICC Rights Watch](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/icc-rights-watch\/)\n- [Inter-American Rights Watch](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/inter-american-rights-watch\/)\n- [COVID-19 Blog Series](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/covid-19-blog-series\/)\n- [Journal of Global Rights and Organizations](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/journal\/)\n- [Special Features](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/category\/special-features\/)\n- [Topics](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/topics\/)\n- [Archived Posts](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/archived-posts\/)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/contact-us\/)\n\n[People Search](http:\/\/directory.syr.edu\/)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/)\n- Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional - Impunity Watch\n\n## Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional\n*By: Sarah Peck*\n\n*Impunity Watch News Staff Writer*\n\n**NAGOYA AND OSAKA, Japan** – In March 2025, Japan’s Nagoya and Osaka High Courts issued landmark rulings declaring the country’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, marking significant progress in the nation’s marriage equality movement.\n\n|   |   |   |\n|---|---|---|\n|   | [![](https:\/\/impunitywatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Being_LGBTQ_in_Japan_3-300x200.jpg)](https:\/\/japan-dev.com\/blog\/is-japan-lgbtq-friendly) *Gay Pride Parade in Tokyo. Photo Courtesy of Erika Lu.* |   |\n\nThe Nagoya High Court ruled on March 7, 2025, that the provisions of the Civil Code and the Family Register Law, which do not recognize same-sex marriages, violate the constitutional guarantee of equality under Article 14. Presiding Judge Nobuhiro Katada stated that excluding same-sex couples from legal marriage lacks a reasonable basis and constitutes unlawful discrimination. The court emphasized that same-sex couples are equally capable of forming lasting psychological connections and that denying them marriage rights can lead to serious issues, particularly for children raised by such couples. Despite this, the court did not find the government liable for compensation, citing the recent and rapidly increasing awareness of the need to legalize same-sex marriage.\n\nShortly thereafter, on March 25, 2025, the Osaka High Court held that Japan’s lack of recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Presiding Judge Kumiko Honda ruled that the Civil Code and Family Register Act provisions violate the right to equality as set out in Article 14 of the Constitution. While upholding the lower court’s decision not to award damages, the court recognized that the marriage ban breaches constitutional rights.\n\nThese rulings represent the fourth and fifth high court decisions in Japan declaring the same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, following similar judgments from the Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka High Courts. Despite growing judicial consensus, the Japanese government has been slow to respond, and legislative action remains conspicuously absent. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion.\n\nAdvocacy groups and plaintiffs have expressed frustration over the lack of legislative action, emphasizing that the overwhelming number of court victories should prompt the government to act swiftly in legalizing same-sex marriage. Public support for marriage equality has been growing, with surveys indicating increasing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Japanese citizens.\n\nThese rulings underscore a significant shift in Japan’s legal landscape concerning LGBTQ+ rights. The outcomes of these cases may influence future deliberations in Japan’s Supreme Court and potentially prompt legislative changes to ensure marriage equality. As Japan’s legal institutions increasingly affirm marriage equality, the pressure mounts on lawmakers to translate these rulings into lasting legislative reform—both for Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens and as a signal to its neighbors in East Asia.\n\n*For further information, please see:*\n\n[The Asahi Shimbun – 4th high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 7 Mar. 2025](https:\/\/www.asahi.com\/ajw\/articles\/15659265)\n\n[The Asahi Shimbun – Osaka High Court rules gay marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025](https:\/\/www.asahi.com\/ajw\/articles\/15682787)\n\n[AP News – Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriage in law is unconstitutional, a court finds – 7 Mar. 2025](https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/japan-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-ruling-nagoya-court-32d9b9ef069afae58e33b643a6ac497d)\n\n[The Nation – Another Japanese court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025](https:\/\/www.nationthailand.com\/news\/world\/40047851)\n\n![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25bbbf4903242f26fa12ff609e032e57?s=80&d=mm&r=g)\n\n#### Author: Alexa Connaughton","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

1 day ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.1 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://impunitywatch.com/japan-high-courts-rule-same-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional/
Last Crawled	2026-04-12 13:05:23 (1 day ago)
First Indexed	2025-04-28 09:03:59 (11 months ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional - Impunity Watch – Syracuse University
Meta Description	null
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Skip to Content About Us Africa Rights Watch European Rights Watch ICC Rights Watch Inter-American Rights Watch COVID-19 Blog Series Journal of Global Rights and Organizations Special Features Topics Archived Posts Contact Us People Search Home Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional - Impunity Watch Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional By: Sarah Peck Impunity Watch News Staff Writer NAGOYA AND OSAKA, Japan – In March 2025, Japan’s Nagoya and Osaka High Courts issued landmark rulings declaring the country’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, marking significant progress in the nation’s marriage equality movement. Gay Pride Parade in Tokyo. Photo Courtesy of Erika Lu. The Nagoya High Court ruled on March 7, 2025, that the provisions of the Civil Code and the Family Register Law, which do not recognize same-sex marriages, violate the constitutional guarantee of equality under Article 14. Presiding Judge Nobuhiro Katada stated that excluding same-sex couples from legal marriage lacks a reasonable basis and constitutes unlawful discrimination. The court emphasized that same-sex couples are equally capable of forming lasting psychological connections and that denying them marriage rights can lead to serious issues, particularly for children raised by such couples. Despite this, the court did not find the government liable for compensation, citing the recent and rapidly increasing awareness of the need to legalize same-sex marriage. Shortly thereafter, on March 25, 2025, the Osaka High Court held that Japan’s lack of recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Presiding Judge Kumiko Honda ruled that the Civil Code and Family Register Act provisions violate the right to equality as set out in Article 14 of the Constitution. While upholding the lower court’s decision not to award damages, the court recognized that the marriage ban breaches constitutional rights. These rulings represent the fourth and fifth high court decisions in Japan declaring the same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, following similar judgments from the Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka High Courts. Despite growing judicial consensus, the Japanese government has been slow to respond, and legislative action remains conspicuously absent. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion. Advocacy groups and plaintiffs have expressed frustration over the lack of legislative action, emphasizing that the overwhelming number of court victories should prompt the government to act swiftly in legalizing same-sex marriage. Public support for marriage equality has been growing, with surveys indicating increasing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Japanese citizens. These rulings underscore a significant shift in Japan’s legal landscape concerning LGBTQ+ rights. The outcomes of these cases may influence future deliberations in Japan’s Supreme Court and potentially prompt legislative changes to ensure marriage equality. As Japan’s legal institutions increasingly affirm marriage equality, the pressure mounts on lawmakers to translate these rulings into lasting legislative reform—both for Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens and as a signal to its neighbors in East Asia. For further information, please see: The Asahi Shimbun – 4th high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 7 Mar. 2025 The Asahi Shimbun – Osaka High Court rules gay marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025 AP News – Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriage in law is unconstitutional, a court finds – 7 Mar. 2025 The Nation – Another Japanese court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025 Author: Alexa Connaughton
Markdown	[Skip to Content](https://impunitywatch.com/japan-high-courts-rule-same-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional/#content-primary) # \\| ## [Impunity Watch](https://impunitywatch.com/) Open Close primary navigation - [About Us](https://impunitywatch.com/about-us/) - [Africa Rights Watch](https://impunitywatch.com/category/africa-rights-watch/) - [European Rights Watch](https://impunitywatch.com/category/european-rights-watch/) - [ICC Rights Watch](https://impunitywatch.com/category/icc-rights-watch/) - [Inter-American Rights Watch](https://impunitywatch.com/category/inter-american-rights-watch/) - [COVID-19 Blog Series](https://impunitywatch.com/category/covid-19-blog-series/) - [Journal of Global Rights and Organizations](https://impunitywatch.com/category/journal/) - [Special Features](https://impunitywatch.com/category/special-features/) - [Topics](https://impunitywatch.com/topics/) - [Archived Posts](https://impunitywatch.com/archived-posts/) - [Contact Us](https://impunitywatch.com/contact-us/) [People Search](http://directory.syr.edu/) - [Home](https://impunitywatch.com/) - Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional - Impunity Watch # Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional April 21, 2025 By: Sarah Peck Impunity Watch News Staff Writer NAGOYA AND OSAKA, Japan – In March 2025, Japan’s Nagoya and Osaka High Courts issued landmark rulings declaring the country’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, marking significant progress in the nation’s marriage equality movement. \| \| \| \| \|---\|---\|---\| \| \| [![](https://impunitywatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Being_LGBTQ_in_Japan_3-300x200.jpg)](https://japan-dev.com/blog/is-japan-lgbtq-friendly) Gay Pride Parade in Tokyo. Photo Courtesy of Erika Lu. \| \| The Nagoya High Court ruled on March 7, 2025, that the provisions of the Civil Code and the Family Register Law, which do not recognize same-sex marriages, violate the constitutional guarantee of equality under Article 14. Presiding Judge Nobuhiro Katada stated that excluding same-sex couples from legal marriage lacks a reasonable basis and constitutes unlawful discrimination. The court emphasized that same-sex couples are equally capable of forming lasting psychological connections and that denying them marriage rights can lead to serious issues, particularly for children raised by such couples. Despite this, the court did not find the government liable for compensation, citing the recent and rapidly increasing awareness of the need to legalize same-sex marriage. Shortly thereafter, on March 25, 2025, the Osaka High Court held that Japan’s lack of recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Presiding Judge Kumiko Honda ruled that the Civil Code and Family Register Act provisions violate the right to equality as set out in Article 14 of the Constitution. While upholding the lower court’s decision not to award damages, the court recognized that the marriage ban breaches constitutional rights. These rulings represent the fourth and fifth high court decisions in Japan declaring the same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, following similar judgments from the Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka High Courts. Despite growing judicial consensus, the Japanese government has been slow to respond, and legislative action remains conspicuously absent. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion. Advocacy groups and plaintiffs have expressed frustration over the lack of legislative action, emphasizing that the overwhelming number of court victories should prompt the government to act swiftly in legalizing same-sex marriage. Public support for marriage equality has been growing, with surveys indicating increasing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Japanese citizens. These rulings underscore a significant shift in Japan’s legal landscape concerning LGBTQ+ rights. The outcomes of these cases may influence future deliberations in Japan’s Supreme Court and potentially prompt legislative changes to ensure marriage equality. As Japan’s legal institutions increasingly affirm marriage equality, the pressure mounts on lawmakers to translate these rulings into lasting legislative reform—both for Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens and as a signal to its neighbors in East Asia. For further information, please see: [The Asahi Shimbun – 4th high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 7 Mar. 2025](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15659265) [The Asahi Shimbun – Osaka High Court rules gay marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15682787) [AP News – Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriage in law is unconstitutional, a court finds – 7 Mar. 2025](https://apnews.com/article/japan-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-ruling-nagoya-court-32d9b9ef069afae58e33b643a6ac497d) [The Nation – Another Japanese court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025](https://www.nationthailand.com/news/world/40047851) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/25bbbf4903242f26fa12ff609e032e57?s=80&d=mm&r=g) #### Author: Alexa Connaughton ## Post a New Comment [Click here to cancel reply.](https://impunitywatch.com/japan-high-courts-rule-same-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional/#respond) Syracuse University College of Law - [Like Us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/impunitywatch/ "Facebook URL") - [Follow Us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/impunitweet?lang=en "Twitter URL") - [Follow Us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/impunitywatchjgro/ "Instagram URL") © [Syracuse University](https://www.syracuse.edu/). Knowledge crowns those who seek her. \\| - [Accessibility](https://www.syracuse.edu/life/accessibility-diversity/accessible-syracuse/) - [Accreditation](http://middlestates.syr.edu/) - [Emergencies](https://www.syracuse.edu/about/contact/emergencies/) - [Privacy](https://www.syracuse.edu/about/site/privacy-policy/)
Readable Markdown	[Skip to Content](https://impunitywatch.com/japan-high-courts-rule-same-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional/#content-primary) - [About Us](https://impunitywatch.com/about-us/) - [Africa Rights Watch](https://impunitywatch.com/category/africa-rights-watch/) - [European Rights Watch](https://impunitywatch.com/category/european-rights-watch/) - [ICC Rights Watch](https://impunitywatch.com/category/icc-rights-watch/) - [Inter-American Rights Watch](https://impunitywatch.com/category/inter-american-rights-watch/) - [COVID-19 Blog Series](https://impunitywatch.com/category/covid-19-blog-series/) - [Journal of Global Rights and Organizations](https://impunitywatch.com/category/journal/) - [Special Features](https://impunitywatch.com/category/special-features/) - [Topics](https://impunitywatch.com/topics/) - [Archived Posts](https://impunitywatch.com/archived-posts/) - [Contact Us](https://impunitywatch.com/contact-us/) [People Search](http://directory.syr.edu/) - [Home](https://impunitywatch.com/) - Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional - Impunity Watch ## Japan High Courts Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional By: Sarah Peck Impunity Watch News Staff Writer NAGOYA AND OSAKA, Japan – In March 2025, Japan’s Nagoya and Osaka High Courts issued landmark rulings declaring the country’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, marking significant progress in the nation’s marriage equality movement. \| \| \| \| \|---\|---\|---\| \| \| [![](https://impunitywatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Being_LGBTQ_in_Japan_3-300x200.jpg)](https://japan-dev.com/blog/is-japan-lgbtq-friendly) Gay Pride Parade in Tokyo. Photo Courtesy of Erika Lu. \| \| The Nagoya High Court ruled on March 7, 2025, that the provisions of the Civil Code and the Family Register Law, which do not recognize same-sex marriages, violate the constitutional guarantee of equality under Article 14. Presiding Judge Nobuhiro Katada stated that excluding same-sex couples from legal marriage lacks a reasonable basis and constitutes unlawful discrimination. The court emphasized that same-sex couples are equally capable of forming lasting psychological connections and that denying them marriage rights can lead to serious issues, particularly for children raised by such couples. Despite this, the court did not find the government liable for compensation, citing the recent and rapidly increasing awareness of the need to legalize same-sex marriage. Shortly thereafter, on March 25, 2025, the Osaka High Court held that Japan’s lack of recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Presiding Judge Kumiko Honda ruled that the Civil Code and Family Register Act provisions violate the right to equality as set out in Article 14 of the Constitution. While upholding the lower court’s decision not to award damages, the court recognized that the marriage ban breaches constitutional rights. These rulings represent the fourth and fifth high court decisions in Japan declaring the same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, following similar judgments from the Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka High Courts. Despite growing judicial consensus, the Japanese government has been slow to respond, and legislative action remains conspicuously absent. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion. Advocacy groups and plaintiffs have expressed frustration over the lack of legislative action, emphasizing that the overwhelming number of court victories should prompt the government to act swiftly in legalizing same-sex marriage. Public support for marriage equality has been growing, with surveys indicating increasing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Japanese citizens. These rulings underscore a significant shift in Japan’s legal landscape concerning LGBTQ+ rights. The outcomes of these cases may influence future deliberations in Japan’s Supreme Court and potentially prompt legislative changes to ensure marriage equality. As Japan’s legal institutions increasingly affirm marriage equality, the pressure mounts on lawmakers to translate these rulings into lasting legislative reform—both for Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens and as a signal to its neighbors in East Asia. For further information, please see: [The Asahi Shimbun – 4th high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 7 Mar. 2025](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15659265) [The Asahi Shimbun – Osaka High Court rules gay marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15682787) [AP News – Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriage in law is unconstitutional, a court finds – 7 Mar. 2025](https://apnews.com/article/japan-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-ruling-nagoya-court-32d9b9ef069afae58e33b643a6ac497d) [The Nation – Another Japanese court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional – 25 Mar. 2025](https://www.nationthailand.com/news/world/40047851) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/25bbbf4903242f26fa12ff609e032e57?s=80&d=mm&r=g) #### Author: Alexa Connaughton
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