🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 147 (from laksa057)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa147.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://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-nagoya-ruling/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-nagoya-ruling/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-nagoya-ruling\/","crawl_time":1776066335,"first_indexed_time":1741472575,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,unseen-japan!\/marriage-equality-nagoya-ruling\/ s443","src_root_hash":"5277812844777071747","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Nagoya High Court Rules Lack of Marriage Equality in Japan Unconstitutional - Unseen Japan","meta_descriptions":["It's the fourth straight ruling for advocates of marriage equality in recent years. The question is: will it lead to change?","It's the fourth straight ruling for advocates of marriage equality in recent years. The question is: will it lead to change?"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"This past week, advocates for marriage equality in Japan won another victory. The High Court of Nagoya sided with plaintiffs in ruling Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages as unconstitutional.\nThe case,\nas reported by Mainichi Shimbun\n, was brought by a same-sex couple in their 30s. It asked for both the court to find the denial of full marriage rights illegal, as well as for damages. The couple appealed a lower court ruling that found the restrictions illegal but not unconstitutional.\nThe Nagoya court ruled positively on the former, finding that the denial violates the couple’s guarantee of equality under the law under the 14th Amendment of Japan’s Constitution, and also the 24th amendment respecting the sanctity of the individual and the equality of both genders.\nLike other courts, however, the court ruled that the country was not negligent in failing to provide a framework enabling marriage equality. As such, it denied the plaintiff’s request for financial damages.\nThe ruling is the fourth victory out of six lawsuits in a High Court in Japan that found Japan’s lack of acknowledgement of marriage unconstitutional. Courts in Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka have issued similar verdicts, also without financial damages attached.\nSeparate but not equal\nPicture: Chinnapong \/ PIXTA(ピクスタ)\nJapan has seen a lot of progress in LGBTQ rights and awareness\nover the past decade. Local governments in particular have addressed the lack of marriage equality\nby creating partnership systems\nthat grant couples some of the same rights of marriage, such as signing joint contracts and making medical decisions on each other’s behalf.\nTokyo implemented a metropolis-wide partnership system\nin 2022. Today,\naccording to Niji Bridge\n, partnership systems cover 85.1% of Japan’s population. 7,351 couples have registered their relationships under these systems.\n\"Noah [at Unseen Japan] put together an itinerary that didn’t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall,\nhe made our Japan trip an experience not to forget\n.\" - Kate and Simon S., Australia\nHowever, partnership systems can’t grant rights covered by the national government, such as inheritance rights. They’re also tied to one’s current municipality, meaning couples could lose their recognition if they have to move (e.g., for a job transfer).\nEven in areas where same-sex partnerships are recognized, discrimination still exists.\nWe wrote in 2023 about a lesbian couple in Tokyo\nwho found it difficult to find a hospital that would give them pregnancy care.\nAdvocates for marriage equality, such as Matsuoka Soshi, head of the organization\nfair\n, responded to the ruling  positively. “People are asking the country to move swiftly to make marriage equality a reality,”\nhe wrote\n.\nGet More UJ\nSupport our work by\nsubscribing to Unseen Japan Insider\n. You’ll get a bonus article, just for members, emailed to you every week. Plus, you’ll get access to our\nInsider back issues archive\n, “ask us anything” privileges, and a voice in our future editorial direction.\nSubscribe to Insider\nWhat to read next\nLGBTQ\nSmall City, Big Pride: Japanese Prefecture Gets Its First Pride Parade\nThe parade in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, shows how Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens are committed to raising awareness in smaller cities and towns.\nRead More »\nLGBTQ\nLGBTQ People, Advocates Ask Japan’s Politicians to Legalize Marriage Equality Swiftly\nAfter a bitter court loss, LGBTQ people in Japan continue pressing politicians for fast action.\nRead More »\nLGBTQ\nSurprise, Anger, and Frustration as Tokyo’s High Court Rules Against Marriage Equality\nSupporters of marriage equality in Japan were met with an unexpected setback after a series of affirmative rulings.\nRead More »","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-nagoya-ruling\/#content)\n\n[Bluesky-icon-bluesky-logo](https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/unseenjapan.com)     [Youtube](https:\/\/youtube.com\/c\/unseenjapan)     [Discord](https:\/\/discord.gg\/uPwBhuBCwQ)\n\n[UNSEEN JAPAN](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/)\n\n- [Japan News](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/latest)\n- [Tours](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/unseen-japan-tours\/)\n- [Members](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/category\/insider\/)\n- [Newsletter](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/newsletter)\n- [About](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/about)\n\n- [Japan News](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/latest)\n- [Tours](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/unseen-japan-tours\/)\n- [Members](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/category\/insider\/)\n- [Newsletter](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/newsletter)\n- [About](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/about)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/)\n- Category:   [LGBTQ](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/category\/news\/lgbtq\/)\n- Tags:   [marriage equality](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/tag\/marriage-equality\/), [nagoya](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/tag\/nagoya\/), [same sex marriage](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/tag\/same-sex-marriage-2\/)\n- [Posted on March 8, 2025](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/2025\/03\/08\/)\n# Nagoya High Court Rules Lack of Marriage Equality in Japan Unconstitutional\n![Two women in white wedding dresses walking towards the ocean on the beach, their backs to the cameras](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/pixta_90520027_M.jpg)\n\nPicture: mikeko \/ PIXTA(ピクスタ)\n\n[![follow on google news](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/follow-on-google-news.png)](https:\/\/news.google.com\/search?q=unseen%20japan&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen)\n\n[![follow on google news](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/follow-on-google-news.png)](https:\/\/news.google.com\/search?q=unseen%20japan&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen)\n\nIt's the fourth straight ruling for advocates of marriage equality in recent years. The question is: will it lead to change?\n\nDon’t miss a thing – get our [free newsletter](https:\/\/us20.campaign-archive.com\/home\/?u=e9c0d2fc400d4b96cabfca61a&id=c22bae80d3)\n\n![Picture of Jay Allen](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/422281ee5e9177e8ef2c60272c65e57bb13c9aa632a95390dd837cf7aa92e42a?s=300&d=mm&r=g)\n\n#### Jay Allen\n[More By This Author](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/author\/unseenjapanpress\/)\n\n![Picture of Jay Allen](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/422281ee5e9177e8ef2c60272c65e57bb13c9aa632a95390dd837cf7aa92e42a?s=300&d=mm&r=g)\n\n#### Jay Allen\n[More By This Author](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/author\/unseenjapanpress\/)\n\nThis past week, advocates for marriage equality in Japan won another victory. The High Court of Nagoya sided with plaintiffs in ruling Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages as unconstitutional.\n\nThe case, [as reported by Mainichi Shimbun](https:\/\/mainichi.jp\/articles\/20250305\/k00\/00m\/040\/409000c), was brought by a same-sex couple in their 30s. It asked for both the court to find the denial of full marriage rights illegal, as well as for damages. The couple appealed a lower court ruling that found the restrictions illegal but not unconstitutional.\n\nThe Nagoya court ruled positively on the former, finding that the denial violates the couple’s guarantee of equality under the law under the 14th Amendment of Japan’s Constitution, and also the 24th amendment respecting the sanctity of the individual and the equality of both genders.\n\nLike other courts, however, the court ruled that the country was not negligent in failing to provide a framework enabling marriage equality. As such, it denied the plaintiff’s request for financial damages.\n\nThe ruling is the fourth victory out of six lawsuits in a High Court in Japan that found Japan’s lack of acknowledgement of marriage unconstitutional. Courts in Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka have issued similar verdicts, also without financial damages attached.\n\n## Separate but not equal\n![LGBT pride or LGBTQ+ gay pride with rainbow flag for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people human rights social equality movements in June month](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pixta_78775812_M-1-1024x683.jpg)\n\nPicture: Chinnapong \/ PIXTA(ピクスタ)\n\n[Japan has seen a lot of progress in LGBTQ rights and awareness](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/lgbtq-japan-2024-roundup\/) over the past decade. Local governments in particular have addressed the lack of marriage equality [by creating partnership systems](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/japan-partnership-systems-70-percent\/) that grant couples some of the same rights of marriage, such as signing joint contracts and making medical decisions on each other’s behalf.\n\n[Tokyo implemented a metropolis-wide partnership system](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/lgbt-partnership-system-tokyo\/) in 2022. Today, [according to Niji Bridge](https:\/\/nijibridge.jp\/data\/2403\/), partnership systems cover 85.1% of Japan’s population. 7,351 couples have registered their relationships under these systems.\n\n#### \"Noah \\[at Unseen Japan\\] put together an itinerary that didn’t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall, [he made our Japan trip an experience not to forget](https:\/\/unseenjapan.com\/unseen-japan-tours\/).\" - Kate and Simon S., Australia\n[![](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/uj-tours-plan-12-2024-350-1.png)](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/unseen-japan-tours\/?utm_medium=web&utm_source=uj&utm_campaign=uj_inarticle)\n\nHowever, partnership systems can’t grant rights covered by the national government, such as inheritance rights. They’re also tied to one’s current municipality, meaning couples could lose their recognition if they have to move (e.g., for a job transfer).\n\nEven in areas where same-sex partnerships are recognized, discrimination still exists. [We wrote in 2023 about a lesbian couple in Tokyo](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/lesbian-couple-japan-maternity-discrimination\/) who found it difficult to find a hospital that would give them pregnancy care.\n\nAdvocates for marriage equality, such as Matsuoka Soshi, head of the organization [fair](https:\/\/fairs-fair.org\/), responded to the ruling positively. “People are asking the country to move swiftly to make marriage equality a reality,” [he wrote](https:\/\/news.yahoo.co.jp\/articles\/1cdd925ea35df6905fa1b30b877b6c4f8e0d0e05).\n\n## Get More UJ\nSupport our work by [subscribing to Unseen Japan Insider](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/subscribe). You’ll get a bonus article, just for members, emailed to you every week. Plus, you’ll get access to our [Insider back issues archive](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/category\/insider), “ask us anything” privileges, and a voice in our future editorial direction.\n\n[Subscribe to Insider](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/subscribe)\n\n## What to read next\n[![](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769584047184-1024x768.jpg)](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade\/)\n\nLGBTQ\n\n[Small City, Big Pride: Japanese Prefecture Gets Its First Pride Parade](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade\/)\n\nThe parade in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, shows how Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens are committed to raising awareness in smaller cities and towns.\n\n[Read More »](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade\/)\n\n[![Picture from Marriage For All Japan event](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765906441965-1024x768.jpg)](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo\/)\n\nLGBTQ\n\n[LGBTQ People, Advocates Ask Japan’s Politicians to Legalize Marriage Equality Swiftly](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo\/)\n\nAfter a bitter court loss, LGBTQ people in Japan continue pressing politicians for fast action.\n\n[Read More »](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo\/)\n\n[![Picture outside of court after marriage equality decision handed down](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1764475956978-1024x768.jpg)](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling\/)\n\nLGBTQ\n\n[Surprise, Anger, and Frustration as Tokyo’s High Court Rules Against Marriage Equality](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling\/)\n\nSupporters of marriage equality in Japan were met with an unexpected setback after a series of affirmative rulings.\n\n[Read More »](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling\/)\n\nDon’t miss a thing – get our [free newsletter](https:\/\/us20.campaign-archive.com\/home\/?u=e9c0d2fc400d4b96cabfca61a&id=c22bae80d3)\n\n![Picture of Jay Allen](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/422281ee5e9177e8ef2c60272c65e57bb13c9aa632a95390dd837cf7aa92e42a?s=300&d=mm&r=g)\n\n#### Jay Allen\nJay is a resident of Tokyo where he reports and conducts tours for Unseen Japan. His work on Japan has been cited in numerous publications, including USA Today, the Washington Post, Fortune, TIME, NPR, The Guardian, and The World. In his spare time, he loves reading Japanese novels. You can [follow Jay on Bluesky](https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/jayallenuj.bsky.social).\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/)\n- [Tours](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/unseen-japan-tours\/)\n- [Plan Your Japan Trip](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/japan-trip-preparing\/)\n- [UJ Tours Affiliate Program](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/unseen-japan-tours-affiliate\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/privacy-policy\/)\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/terms-of-use\/)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/contact\/)\n- [Submissions](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/submissions\/)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/)\n- [Tours](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/unseen-japan-tours\/)\n- [Plan Your Japan Trip](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/japan-trip-preparing\/)\n- [UJ Tours Affiliate Program](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/unseen-japan-tours-affiliate\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/privacy-policy\/)\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/terms-of-use\/)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/contact\/)\n- [Submissions](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/submissions\/)\n\n**Unseen Japan is proudly hosted by Rocket.net. [Get your first month of WordPress hosting on Rocket.net](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/recommends\/hosting) for just \\$1.**\n\nLinks on Unseen Japan may point to affiliate programs from which we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, [read our privacy policy](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/privacy-policy\/).\n\n[Mastodon](https:\/\/mstdn.jp\/@unseenjapan)\n\nCopyright © 2026 UJ Media Services. All rights reserved.\n\n![](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/unseen-japan-avatar-150-transparent-1.png)\n\n## Before You Go...\n\nLet’s stay in touch. Get our **free** newsletter to get a weekly update on our best stories (all human-generated, we promise). You’ll also help keep UJ independent of Google and the social media giants.\n\nWant a preview? [Read our archives](https:\/\/us20.campaign-archive.com\/home\/?u=e9c0d2fc400d4b96cabfca61a&id=c22bae80d3).\n\nRead our [privacy policy](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/privacy-policy)","attrs_readable_markdown":"This past week, advocates for marriage equality in Japan won another victory. The High Court of Nagoya sided with plaintiffs in ruling Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages as unconstitutional.\n\nThe case, [as reported by Mainichi Shimbun](https:\/\/mainichi.jp\/articles\/20250305\/k00\/00m\/040\/409000c), was brought by a same-sex couple in their 30s. It asked for both the court to find the denial of full marriage rights illegal, as well as for damages. The couple appealed a lower court ruling that found the restrictions illegal but not unconstitutional.\n\nThe Nagoya court ruled positively on the former, finding that the denial violates the couple’s guarantee of equality under the law under the 14th Amendment of Japan’s Constitution, and also the 24th amendment respecting the sanctity of the individual and the equality of both genders.\n\nLike other courts, however, the court ruled that the country was not negligent in failing to provide a framework enabling marriage equality. As such, it denied the plaintiff’s request for financial damages.\n\nThe ruling is the fourth victory out of six lawsuits in a High Court in Japan that found Japan’s lack of acknowledgement of marriage unconstitutional. Courts in Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka have issued similar verdicts, also without financial damages attached.\n\n## Separate but not equal\n![LGBT pride or LGBTQ+ gay pride with rainbow flag for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people human rights social equality movements in June month](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pixta_78775812_M-1-1024x683.jpg)\n\nPicture: Chinnapong \/ PIXTA(ピクスタ)\n\n[Japan has seen a lot of progress in LGBTQ rights and awareness](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/lgbtq-japan-2024-roundup\/) over the past decade. Local governments in particular have addressed the lack of marriage equality [by creating partnership systems](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/japan-partnership-systems-70-percent\/) that grant couples some of the same rights of marriage, such as signing joint contracts and making medical decisions on each other’s behalf.\n\n[Tokyo implemented a metropolis-wide partnership system](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/lgbt-partnership-system-tokyo\/) in 2022. Today, [according to Niji Bridge](https:\/\/nijibridge.jp\/data\/2403\/), partnership systems cover 85.1% of Japan’s population. 7,351 couples have registered their relationships under these systems.\n\n#### \"Noah \\[at Unseen Japan\\] put together an itinerary that didn’t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall, [he made our Japan trip an experience not to forget](https:\/\/unseenjapan.com\/unseen-japan-tours\/).\" - Kate and Simon S., Australia\n[![](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/uj-tours-plan-12-2024-350-1.png)](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/unseen-japan-tours\/?utm_medium=web&utm_source=uj&utm_campaign=uj_inarticle)\n\nHowever, partnership systems can’t grant rights covered by the national government, such as inheritance rights. They’re also tied to one’s current municipality, meaning couples could lose their recognition if they have to move (e.g., for a job transfer).\n\nEven in areas where same-sex partnerships are recognized, discrimination still exists. [We wrote in 2023 about a lesbian couple in Tokyo](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/lesbian-couple-japan-maternity-discrimination\/) who found it difficult to find a hospital that would give them pregnancy care.\n\nAdvocates for marriage equality, such as Matsuoka Soshi, head of the organization [fair](https:\/\/fairs-fair.org\/), responded to the ruling positively. “People are asking the country to move swiftly to make marriage equality a reality,” [he wrote](https:\/\/news.yahoo.co.jp\/articles\/1cdd925ea35df6905fa1b30b877b6c4f8e0d0e05).\n\nGet More UJ\n\nSupport our work by [subscribing to Unseen Japan Insider](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/subscribe). You’ll get a bonus article, just for members, emailed to you every week. Plus, you’ll get access to our [Insider back issues archive](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/category\/insider), “ask us anything” privileges, and a voice in our future editorial direction.\n\n[Subscribe to Insider](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/subscribe)\n\nWhat to read next\n\n[![](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769584047184-1024x768.jpg)](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade\/)\n\nLGBTQ\n\n[Small City, Big Pride: Japanese Prefecture Gets Its First Pride Parade](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade\/)\n\nThe parade in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, shows how Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens are committed to raising awareness in smaller cities and towns.\n\n[Read More »](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade\/)\n\n[![Picture from Marriage For All Japan event](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765906441965-1024x768.jpg)](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo\/)\n\nLGBTQ\n\n[LGBTQ People, Advocates Ask Japan’s Politicians to Legalize Marriage Equality Swiftly](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo\/)\n\nAfter a bitter court loss, LGBTQ people in Japan continue pressing politicians for fast action.\n\n[Read More »](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo\/)\n\n[![Picture outside of court after marriage equality decision handed down](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1764475956978-1024x768.jpg)](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling\/)\n\nLGBTQ\n\n[Surprise, Anger, and Frustration as Tokyo’s High Court Rules Against Marriage Equality](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling\/)\n\nSupporters of marriage equality in Japan were met with an unexpected setback after a series of affirmative rulings.\n\n[Read More »](https:\/\/unseen-japan.com\/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling\/)","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

19 hours 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 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://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-nagoya-ruling/
Last Crawled	2026-04-13 07:45:35 (19 hours ago)
First Indexed	2025-03-08 22:22:55 (1 year ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Nagoya High Court Rules Lack of Marriage Equality in Japan Unconstitutional - Unseen Japan
Meta Description	It's the fourth straight ruling for advocates of marriage equality in recent years. The question is: will it lead to change?, It's the fourth straight ruling for advocates of marriage equality in recent years. The question is: will it lead to change?
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	This past week, advocates for marriage equality in Japan won another victory. The High Court of Nagoya sided with plaintiffs in ruling Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages as unconstitutional. The case, as reported by Mainichi Shimbun , was brought by a same-sex couple in their 30s. It asked for both the court to find the denial of full marriage rights illegal, as well as for damages. The couple appealed a lower court ruling that found the restrictions illegal but not unconstitutional. The Nagoya court ruled positively on the former, finding that the denial violates the couple’s guarantee of equality under the law under the 14th Amendment of Japan’s Constitution, and also the 24th amendment respecting the sanctity of the individual and the equality of both genders. Like other courts, however, the court ruled that the country was not negligent in failing to provide a framework enabling marriage equality. As such, it denied the plaintiff’s request for financial damages. The ruling is the fourth victory out of six lawsuits in a High Court in Japan that found Japan’s lack of acknowledgement of marriage unconstitutional. Courts in Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka have issued similar verdicts, also without financial damages attached. Separate but not equal Picture: Chinnapong / PIXTA(ピクスタ) Japan has seen a lot of progress in LGBTQ rights and awareness over the past decade. Local governments in particular have addressed the lack of marriage equality by creating partnership systems that grant couples some of the same rights of marriage, such as signing joint contracts and making medical decisions on each other’s behalf. Tokyo implemented a metropolis-wide partnership system in 2022. Today, according to Niji Bridge , partnership systems cover 85.1% of Japan’s population. 7,351 couples have registered their relationships under these systems. "Noah [at Unseen Japan] put together an itinerary that didn’t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall, he made our Japan trip an experience not to forget ." - Kate and Simon S., Australia However, partnership systems can’t grant rights covered by the national government, such as inheritance rights. They’re also tied to one’s current municipality, meaning couples could lose their recognition if they have to move (e.g., for a job transfer). Even in areas where same-sex partnerships are recognized, discrimination still exists. We wrote in 2023 about a lesbian couple in Tokyo who found it difficult to find a hospital that would give them pregnancy care. Advocates for marriage equality, such as Matsuoka Soshi, head of the organization fair , responded to the ruling positively. “People are asking the country to move swiftly to make marriage equality a reality,” he wrote . Get More UJ Support our work by subscribing to Unseen Japan Insider . You’ll get a bonus article, just for members, emailed to you every week. Plus, you’ll get access to our Insider back issues archive , “ask us anything” privileges, and a voice in our future editorial direction. Subscribe to Insider What to read next LGBTQ Small City, Big Pride: Japanese Prefecture Gets Its First Pride Parade The parade in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, shows how Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens are committed to raising awareness in smaller cities and towns. Read More » LGBTQ LGBTQ People, Advocates Ask Japan’s Politicians to Legalize Marriage Equality Swiftly After a bitter court loss, LGBTQ people in Japan continue pressing politicians for fast action. Read More » LGBTQ Surprise, Anger, and Frustration as Tokyo’s High Court Rules Against Marriage Equality Supporters of marriage equality in Japan were met with an unexpected setback after a series of affirmative rulings. Read More »
Markdown	[Skip to content](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-nagoya-ruling/#content) [Bluesky-icon-bluesky-logo](https://bsky.app/profile/unseenjapan.com) [Youtube](https://youtube.com/c/unseenjapan) [Discord](https://discord.gg/uPwBhuBCwQ) [UNSEEN JAPAN](https://unseen-japan.com/) - [Japan News](https://unseen-japan.com/latest) - [Tours](https://unseen-japan.com/unseen-japan-tours/) - [Members](https://unseen-japan.com/category/insider/) - [Newsletter](https://unseen-japan.com/newsletter) - [About](https://unseen-japan.com/about) - [Japan News](https://unseen-japan.com/latest) - [Tours](https://unseen-japan.com/unseen-japan-tours/) - [Members](https://unseen-japan.com/category/insider/) - [Newsletter](https://unseen-japan.com/newsletter) - [About](https://unseen-japan.com/about) - [Home](https://unseen-japan.com/) - Category: [LGBTQ](https://unseen-japan.com/category/news/lgbtq/) - Tags: [marriage equality](https://unseen-japan.com/tag/marriage-equality/), [nagoya](https://unseen-japan.com/tag/nagoya/), [same sex marriage](https://unseen-japan.com/tag/same-sex-marriage-2/) - [Posted on March 8, 2025](https://unseen-japan.com/2025/03/08/) # Nagoya High Court Rules Lack of Marriage Equality in Japan Unconstitutional ![Two women in white wedding dresses walking towards the ocean on the beach, their backs to the cameras](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/pixta_90520027_M.jpg) Picture: mikeko / PIXTA(ピクスタ) [![follow on google news](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/follow-on-google-news.png)](https://news.google.com/search?q=unseen%20japan&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen) [![follow on google news](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/follow-on-google-news.png)](https://news.google.com/search?q=unseen%20japan&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen) It's the fourth straight ruling for advocates of marriage equality in recent years. The question is: will it lead to change? Don’t miss a thing – get our [free newsletter](https://us20.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=e9c0d2fc400d4b96cabfca61a&id=c22bae80d3) ![Picture of Jay Allen](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/422281ee5e9177e8ef2c60272c65e57bb13c9aa632a95390dd837cf7aa92e42a?s=300&d=mm&r=g) #### Jay Allen [More By This Author](https://unseen-japan.com/author/unseenjapanpress/) ![Picture of Jay Allen](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/422281ee5e9177e8ef2c60272c65e57bb13c9aa632a95390dd837cf7aa92e42a?s=300&d=mm&r=g) #### Jay Allen [More By This Author](https://unseen-japan.com/author/unseenjapanpress/) This past week, advocates for marriage equality in Japan won another victory. The High Court of Nagoya sided with plaintiffs in ruling Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages as unconstitutional. The case, [as reported by Mainichi Shimbun](https://mainichi.jp/articles/20250305/k00/00m/040/409000c), was brought by a same-sex couple in their 30s. It asked for both the court to find the denial of full marriage rights illegal, as well as for damages. The couple appealed a lower court ruling that found the restrictions illegal but not unconstitutional. The Nagoya court ruled positively on the former, finding that the denial violates the couple’s guarantee of equality under the law under the 14th Amendment of Japan’s Constitution, and also the 24th amendment respecting the sanctity of the individual and the equality of both genders. Like other courts, however, the court ruled that the country was not negligent in failing to provide a framework enabling marriage equality. As such, it denied the plaintiff’s request for financial damages. The ruling is the fourth victory out of six lawsuits in a High Court in Japan that found Japan’s lack of acknowledgement of marriage unconstitutional. Courts in Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka have issued similar verdicts, also without financial damages attached. ## Separate but not equal ![LGBT pride or LGBTQ+ gay pride with rainbow flag for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people human rights social equality movements in June month](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pixta_78775812_M-1-1024x683.jpg) Picture: Chinnapong / PIXTA(ピクスタ) [Japan has seen a lot of progress in LGBTQ rights and awareness](https://unseen-japan.com/lgbtq-japan-2024-roundup/) over the past decade. Local governments in particular have addressed the lack of marriage equality [by creating partnership systems](https://unseen-japan.com/japan-partnership-systems-70-percent/) that grant couples some of the same rights of marriage, such as signing joint contracts and making medical decisions on each other’s behalf. [Tokyo implemented a metropolis-wide partnership system](https://unseen-japan.com/lgbt-partnership-system-tokyo/) in 2022. Today, [according to Niji Bridge](https://nijibridge.jp/data/2403/), partnership systems cover 85.1% of Japan’s population. 7,351 couples have registered their relationships under these systems. #### "Noah \[at Unseen Japan\] put together an itinerary that didn’t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall, [he made our Japan trip an experience not to forget](https://unseenjapan.com/unseen-japan-tours/)." - Kate and Simon S., Australia [![](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/uj-tours-plan-12-2024-350-1.png)](https://unseen-japan.com/unseen-japan-tours/?utm_medium=web&utm_source=uj&utm_campaign=uj_inarticle) However, partnership systems can’t grant rights covered by the national government, such as inheritance rights. They’re also tied to one’s current municipality, meaning couples could lose their recognition if they have to move (e.g., for a job transfer). Even in areas where same-sex partnerships are recognized, discrimination still exists. [We wrote in 2023 about a lesbian couple in Tokyo](https://unseen-japan.com/lesbian-couple-japan-maternity-discrimination/) who found it difficult to find a hospital that would give them pregnancy care. Advocates for marriage equality, such as Matsuoka Soshi, head of the organization [fair](https://fairs-fair.org/), responded to the ruling positively. “People are asking the country to move swiftly to make marriage equality a reality,” [he wrote](https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/1cdd925ea35df6905fa1b30b877b6c4f8e0d0e05). ## Get More UJ Support our work by [subscribing to Unseen Japan Insider](https://unseen-japan.com/subscribe). You’ll get a bonus article, just for members, emailed to you every week. Plus, you’ll get access to our [Insider back issues archive](https://unseen-japan.com/category/insider), “ask us anything” privileges, and a voice in our future editorial direction. [Subscribe to Insider](https://unseen-japan.com/subscribe) ## What to read next [![](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1769584047184-1024x768.jpg)](https://unseen-japan.com/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade/) LGBTQ [Small City, Big Pride: Japanese Prefecture Gets Its First Pride Parade](https://unseen-japan.com/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade/) The parade in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, shows how Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens are committed to raising awareness in smaller cities and towns. [Read More »](https://unseen-japan.com/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade/) [![Picture from Marriage For All Japan event](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1765906441965-1024x768.jpg)](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo/) LGBTQ [LGBTQ People, Advocates Ask Japan’s Politicians to Legalize Marriage Equality Swiftly](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo/) After a bitter court loss, LGBTQ people in Japan continue pressing politicians for fast action. [Read More »](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo/) [![Picture outside of court after marriage equality decision handed down](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1764475956978-1024x768.jpg)](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling/) LGBTQ [Surprise, Anger, and Frustration as Tokyo’s High Court Rules Against Marriage Equality](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling/) Supporters of marriage equality in Japan were met with an unexpected setback after a series of affirmative rulings. [Read More »](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling/) Don’t miss a thing – get our [free newsletter](https://us20.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=e9c0d2fc400d4b96cabfca61a&id=c22bae80d3) ![Picture of Jay Allen](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/422281ee5e9177e8ef2c60272c65e57bb13c9aa632a95390dd837cf7aa92e42a?s=300&d=mm&r=g) #### Jay Allen Jay is a resident of Tokyo where he reports and conducts tours for Unseen Japan. His work on Japan has been cited in numerous publications, including USA Today, the Washington Post, Fortune, TIME, NPR, The Guardian, and The World. In his spare time, he loves reading Japanese novels. 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Readable Markdown	This past week, advocates for marriage equality in Japan won another victory. The High Court of Nagoya sided with plaintiffs in ruling Japan’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages as unconstitutional. The case, [as reported by Mainichi Shimbun](https://mainichi.jp/articles/20250305/k00/00m/040/409000c), was brought by a same-sex couple in their 30s. It asked for both the court to find the denial of full marriage rights illegal, as well as for damages. The couple appealed a lower court ruling that found the restrictions illegal but not unconstitutional. The Nagoya court ruled positively on the former, finding that the denial violates the couple’s guarantee of equality under the law under the 14th Amendment of Japan’s Constitution, and also the 24th amendment respecting the sanctity of the individual and the equality of both genders. Like other courts, however, the court ruled that the country was not negligent in failing to provide a framework enabling marriage equality. As such, it denied the plaintiff’s request for financial damages. The ruling is the fourth victory out of six lawsuits in a High Court in Japan that found Japan’s lack of acknowledgement of marriage unconstitutional. Courts in Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka have issued similar verdicts, also without financial damages attached. ## Separate but not equal ![LGBT pride or LGBTQ+ gay pride with rainbow flag for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people human rights social equality movements in June month](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pixta_78775812_M-1-1024x683.jpg) Picture: Chinnapong / PIXTA(ピクスタ) [Japan has seen a lot of progress in LGBTQ rights and awareness](https://unseen-japan.com/lgbtq-japan-2024-roundup/) over the past decade. Local governments in particular have addressed the lack of marriage equality [by creating partnership systems](https://unseen-japan.com/japan-partnership-systems-70-percent/) that grant couples some of the same rights of marriage, such as signing joint contracts and making medical decisions on each other’s behalf. [Tokyo implemented a metropolis-wide partnership system](https://unseen-japan.com/lgbt-partnership-system-tokyo/) in 2022. Today, [according to Niji Bridge](https://nijibridge.jp/data/2403/), partnership systems cover 85.1% of Japan’s population. 7,351 couples have registered their relationships under these systems. #### "Noah \[at Unseen Japan\] put together an itinerary that didn’t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall, [he made our Japan trip an experience not to forget](https://unseenjapan.com/unseen-japan-tours/)." - Kate and Simon S., Australia [![](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/uj-tours-plan-12-2024-350-1.png)](https://unseen-japan.com/unseen-japan-tours/?utm_medium=web&utm_source=uj&utm_campaign=uj_inarticle) However, partnership systems can’t grant rights covered by the national government, such as inheritance rights. They’re also tied to one’s current municipality, meaning couples could lose their recognition if they have to move (e.g., for a job transfer). Even in areas where same-sex partnerships are recognized, discrimination still exists. [We wrote in 2023 about a lesbian couple in Tokyo](https://unseen-japan.com/lesbian-couple-japan-maternity-discrimination/) who found it difficult to find a hospital that would give them pregnancy care. Advocates for marriage equality, such as Matsuoka Soshi, head of the organization [fair](https://fairs-fair.org/), responded to the ruling positively. “People are asking the country to move swiftly to make marriage equality a reality,” [he wrote](https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/1cdd925ea35df6905fa1b30b877b6c4f8e0d0e05). Get More UJ Support our work by [subscribing to Unseen Japan Insider](https://unseen-japan.com/subscribe). You’ll get a bonus article, just for members, emailed to you every week. Plus, you’ll get access to our [Insider back issues archive](https://unseen-japan.com/category/insider), “ask us anything” privileges, and a voice in our future editorial direction. [Subscribe to Insider](https://unseen-japan.com/subscribe) What to read next [![](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1769584047184-1024x768.jpg)](https://unseen-japan.com/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade/) LGBTQ [Small City, Big Pride: Japanese Prefecture Gets Its First Pride Parade](https://unseen-japan.com/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade/) The parade in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, shows how Japan’s LGBTQ+ citizens are committed to raising awareness in smaller cities and towns. [Read More »](https://unseen-japan.com/ibaraki-prefecture-first-pride-parade/) [![Picture from Marriage For All Japan event](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1765906441965-1024x768.jpg)](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo/) LGBTQ [LGBTQ People, Advocates Ask Japan’s Politicians to Legalize Marriage Equality Swiftly](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo/) After a bitter court loss, LGBTQ people in Japan continue pressing politicians for fast action. [Read More »](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-rally-tokyo/) [![Picture outside of court after marriage equality decision handed down](https://unseen-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1764475956978-1024x768.jpg)](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling/) LGBTQ [Surprise, Anger, and Frustration as Tokyo’s High Court Rules Against Marriage Equality](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling/) Supporters of marriage equality in Japan were met with an unexpected setback after a series of affirmative rulings. [Read More »](https://unseen-japan.com/marriage-equality-tokyo-court-ruling/)
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