🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 16 (from laksa141)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa016.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://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68561968\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68561968\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-68561968","crawl_time":1772780631,"first_indexed_time":1710405090,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,bbc!www,\/news\/world-asia-68561968 s443","src_root_hash":"1643509356818581016","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Japan same-sex marriage ban ruled unconstitutional again by courts","meta_descriptions":["LGBT+ activists hail the legal win but say real reform is still up to a conservative legislature."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"14 March 2024\nFrances Mao & Sakiko Shiraishi\nin Singapore and Tokyo\nReuters\nJapan's constitution currently defines marriage as one between \"both sexes\"\nTwo more rulings in Japanese district courts have added weight to the push for same-sex marriage to be legalised.\nThis week, courts in Tokyo and Sapporo ruled the nation's current ban was \"unconstitutional\", in line with previous landmark verdicts.\nThe rulings in separate cases found that the ban breached citizens' rights.\nEven as they welcomed the verdicts, activists warned that the historic step of legalising same-sex unions would still need to come from lawmakers.\nCurrently, Japan remains the only G7 country not to fully recognise same-sex couples or offer them clear legal protection. But it is not an outlier in Asia, where Taiwan is the only place to allow same-sex unions.\nWhile several municipalities and prefectures in Japan issue same-sex partnership certificates, which provide some benefits, they do not offer equal legal recognition.\nPrime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has come under increased pressure on the issue in recent years as public support has grown significantly. Polls show up to 70% of the population supports same-sex unions.\nBut Mr Kishida has struggled to pass reforms in his own party in the face of fierce opposition from traditional leadership.\nMarriage equality eludes Japan's same-sex couples\nWhy is Japan redefining rape?\nThe women fighting Japan’s sexual violence stigma\nHis government is yet to disclose any plans to change or review marriage legislation. But it has passed a law criminalising discrimination on the basis of sexuality - but this has been criticised by LGBT+ activists for stopping well short of recognising marriage equality.\nOn Thursday, a Sapporo court ruling said it was \"strongly expected\" that parliament would at some point \"institutionalise an appropriate same-sex marriage law\", noting the broad public support.\nThe court also found that: \"Living in accordance with one's gender identity and sexual orientation is an inalienable right rooted in important person interests.\"\nAt least half a dozen legal cases challenging the marriage ban have been waged since since 2019. In 2021, the Sapporo court made a landmark ruling\ndeclaring the ban unconstitutional\n.\nThe cases have been closely watched in a country still largely bound by traditional gender roles and family values.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-68561968#main-content)\n\n[Register](https:\/\/session.bbc.com\/session?action=register&userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fworld-asia-68561968)\n\n[Sign In](https:\/\/session.bbc.com\/session?userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fworld-asia-68561968)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n- [Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/business)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/technology)\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/health)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/culture)\n- [Arts](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/arts)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet)\n- [Audio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video)\n- [Live](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/home)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n  - [US & Canada](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/us-canada)\n  - [UK](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/uk)\n    - [UK Politics](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/politics)\n    - [England](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/england)\n    - [N. 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[Live Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live\/sport)\n\n[Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n\nNews\n\n[Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n\nBusiness\n\nTechnology\n\n[Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/health)\n\nCulture\n\nArts\n\nTravel\n\nEarth\n\nAudio\n\nVideo\n\nLive\n\n[Weather](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/weather)\n\n[Newsletters](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/newsletters)\n\n# Japan same-sex marriage ban ruled unconstitutional again by courts\n14 March 2024\n\nShare\n\nSave\n\nFrances Mao & Sakiko Shiraishiin Singapore and Tokyo\n\nShare\n\nSave\n\n![Reuters FILE PHOTO: Plaintiffs hold hands each other after a district court ruled on the legality of same-sex marriages outside Sapporo district court in Sapporo](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/4B53\/production\/_125538291_076841025.jpg.webp)Reuters\n\nJapan's constitution currently defines marriage as one between \"both sexes\"\n\n**Two more rulings in Japanese district courts have added weight to the push for same-sex marriage to be legalised.**\n\nThis week, courts in Tokyo and Sapporo ruled the nation's current ban was \"unconstitutional\", in line with previous landmark verdicts.\n\nThe rulings in separate cases found that the ban breached citizens' rights.\n\nEven as they welcomed the verdicts, activists warned that the historic step of legalising same-sex unions would still need to come from lawmakers.\n\nCurrently, Japan remains the only G7 country not to fully recognise same-sex couples or offer them clear legal protection. But it is not an outlier in Asia, where Taiwan is the only place to allow same-sex unions.\n\nWhile several municipalities and prefectures in Japan issue same-sex partnership certificates, which provide some benefits, they do not offer equal legal recognition.\n\nPrime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has come under increased pressure on the issue in recent years as public support has grown significantly. Polls show up to 70% of the population supports same-sex unions.\n\nBut Mr Kishida has struggled to pass reforms in his own party in the face of fierce opposition from traditional leadership.\n\n- [Marriage equality eludes Japan's same-sex couples](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-asia-66173433)\n- [Why is Japan redefining rape?](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-asia-65762707)\n- [The women fighting Japan’s sexual violence stigma](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-asia-pacific-65766825)\n\nHis government is yet to disclose any plans to change or review marriage legislation. But it has passed a law criminalising discrimination on the basis of sexuality - but this has been criticised by LGBT+ activists for stopping well short of recognising marriage equality.\n\nOn Thursday, a Sapporo court ruling said it was \"strongly expected\" that parliament would at some point \"institutionalise an appropriate same-sex marriage law\", noting the broad public support.\n\nThe court also found that: \"Living in accordance with one's gender identity and sexual orientation is an inalienable right rooted in important person interests.\"\n\nAt least half a dozen legal cases challenging the marriage ban have been waged since since 2019. In 2021, the Sapporo court made a landmark ruling [declaring the ban unconstitutional](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-56425002).\n\nThe cases have been closely watched in a country still largely bound by traditional gender roles and family values.\n\n[Asia](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/topics\/c5rznn0nvvyt)\n\n[Japan](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/topics\/cjnwl8q4g7nt)\n\n[Same-sex marriage](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/topics\/cjxv139mm9xt)\n\n***\nRelated\n\n[Vote counting begins in Nepal election - when will we get the result?](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cev7z9802zjo)\n\n[Sri Lanka takes control of second Iranian vessel a day after US sub attack](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c747vezn7zwo)\n\n['What is the game plan?': The Iran war is unsettling China and its ambitions](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c2044vzrdpzo)\n\n***\nMore from the BBC\n\n[2 days ago ![Woman wearing white walking past a wall with a sign of the Unification Church in Japan](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Japanese court upholds order to dissolve Unification Church The church popularly known as Moonies came under scrutiny after the 2022 killing of ex-PM Shinzo Abe. 2 days ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/crrxx5x7wyko)\n\n[2 days ago ![Skiers dot a snowcovered mountain slope with cable cars and trees at the sides.](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Australian girl, 8, killed in snowmobile accident in Japan It is the fourth Australian death at a Japanese ski resort this year. 2 days ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c5yk5yw49nqo)\n\n[8 days ago ![Baby Japanese macaque monkey cuddling a toy orangutan](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Weekly quiz: How did this baby monkey break the internet's heart? How much attention did you pay to what happened in the world over the past seven days? 8 days ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cn4gwn9w30yo)\n\n[25 Feb 2026 ![Aerial view of Japan's Yonaguni Island](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Japan to deploy missiles on island near Taiwan by 2031 The remote Yonaguni island lies on the frontlines of self-governing Taiwan's growing tensions with China. 25 Feb 2026](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cd9gj1w2kn1o)\n\n[23 Feb 2026 ![US President Donald Trump, left, and Sanae Takaichi, Japan's prime minister, pose for photographs following a signing ceremony at the Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp) What now for Asia after Trump's tariffs struck down? After the Supreme Court ruling, Trump said he would impose new levies of 15% on goods entering the US. 23 Feb 2026](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c4g58vlwdq3o)\n***\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n- [Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/business)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/technology)\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/health)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/culture)\n- [Arts](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/arts)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet)\n- [Audio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video)\n- [Live](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live)\n- [Weather](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/weather)\n- [BBC Shop](https:\/\/shop.bbc.com\/)\n- [BritBox](https:\/\/www.britbox.com\/?utm_source=bbc.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=footer)\n\nBBC in other languages\n\n### The BBC is in multiple languages\n#### Read the BBC In your own language\n[Oduu Afaan Oromootiin](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/afaanoromoo)\n\n[Amharic ዜና በአማርኛ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/amharic)\n\n[Arabic عربي](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/arabic)\n\n[Azeri AZƏRBAYCAN](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/azeri)\n\n[Bangla বাংলা](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bengali)\n\n[Burmese မြန်မာ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/burmese)\n\n[Chinese 中文网](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/zhongwen\/simp)\n\n[Dari دری](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/dari)\n\n[French AFRIQUE](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/afrique)\n\n[Hausa HAUSA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/hausa)\n\n[Hindi हिन्दी](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/hindi)\n\n[Gaelic NAIDHEACHDAN](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/naidheachdan)\n\n[Gujarati ગુજરાતીમાં સમાચાર](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/gujarati)\n\n[Igbo AKỤKỌ N’IGBO](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/igbo)\n\n[Indonesian INDONESIA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/indonesia)\n\n[Japanese 日本語](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/japanese)\n\n[Kinyarwanda GAHUZA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/gahuza)\n\n[Kirundi KIRUNDI](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/gahuza)\n\n[Korean 한국어](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/korean)\n\n[Kyrgyz Кыргыз](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/kyrgyz)\n\n[Marathi मराठी](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/marathi)\n\n[Nepali नेपाली](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/nepali)\n\n[Noticias para hispanoparlantes](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/mundo)\n\n[Pashto پښتو](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pashto)\n\n[Persian فارسی](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/persian)\n\n[Pidgin](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pidgin)\n\n[Polish PO POLSKU](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/polska)\n\n[Portuguese BRASIL](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/portuguese)\n\n[Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਖ਼ਬਰਾਂ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/punjabi)\n\n[Russian НА РУССКОМ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/russian)\n\n[Serbian NA SRPSKOM](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/serbian\/lat)\n\n[Sinhala සිංහල](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sinhala)\n\n[Somali SOMALI](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/somali)\n\n[Swahili HABARI KWA KISWAHILI](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/swahili)\n\n[Tamil தமிழில் செய்திகள்](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/tamil)\n\n[Telugu తెలుగు వార్తలు](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/telugu)\n\n[Thai ข่าวภาษาไทย](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/thai)\n\n[Tigrinya ዜና ብትግርኛ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/tigrinya)\n\n[Turkish TÜRKÇE](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/turkce)\n\n[Ukrainian УКРАЇНСЬКA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/ukrainian)\n\n[Urdu اردو](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/urdu)\n\n[Uzbek O'ZBEK](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/uzbek)\n\n[Vietnamese TIẾNG VIỆT](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/vietnamese)\n\n[Welsh NEWYDDION](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/cymrufyw)\n\n[Yoruba ÌRÒYÌN NÍ YORÙBÁ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/yoruba)\n\nFollow BBC on:\n\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/terms-of-use)\n- [Subscription Terms](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/subscription-terms)\n- [About the BBC](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/aboutthebbc)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/privacy-policy)\n- [Cookies](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/usingthebbc\/cookies\/)\n- [Accessibility Help](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/accessibility\/)\n- [Contact the BBC](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/contact)\n- [Advertise with us](https:\/\/advertising.bbcstudios.com\/)\n- [Do not share or sell my info](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/usingthebbc\/cookies\/how-can-i-change-my-bbc-cookie-settings\/)\n- [BBC.com Help & FAQs](https:\/\/help.bbc.com\/hc\/)\n- [Content Index](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/content-index)\n- [Set Preferred Source](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future\/article\/20260128-how-to-make-google-put-trusted-sources-up-top-when-you-search)\n\nCopyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. [**Read about our approach to external linking.**](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/editorialguidelines\/guidance\/feeds-and-links)","attrs_readable_markdown":"14 March 2024\n\nFrances Mao & Sakiko Shiraishiin Singapore and Tokyo\n\n![Reuters FILE PHOTO: Plaintiffs hold hands each other after a district court ruled on the legality of same-sex marriages outside Sapporo district court in Sapporo](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/4B53\/production\/_125538291_076841025.jpg.webp)Reuters\n\nJapan's constitution currently defines marriage as one between \"both sexes\"\n\n**Two more rulings in Japanese district courts have added weight to the push for same-sex marriage to be legalised.**\n\nThis week, courts in Tokyo and Sapporo ruled the nation's current ban was \"unconstitutional\", in line with previous landmark verdicts.\n\nThe rulings in separate cases found that the ban breached citizens' rights.\n\nEven as they welcomed the verdicts, activists warned that the historic step of legalising same-sex unions would still need to come from lawmakers.\n\nCurrently, Japan remains the only G7 country not to fully recognise same-sex couples or offer them clear legal protection. But it is not an outlier in Asia, where Taiwan is the only place to allow same-sex unions.\n\nWhile several municipalities and prefectures in Japan issue same-sex partnership certificates, which provide some benefits, they do not offer equal legal recognition.\n\nPrime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has come under increased pressure on the issue in recent years as public support has grown significantly. Polls show up to 70% of the population supports same-sex unions.\n\nBut Mr Kishida has struggled to pass reforms in his own party in the face of fierce opposition from traditional leadership.\n\n- [Marriage equality eludes Japan's same-sex couples](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-asia-66173433)\n- [Why is Japan redefining rape?](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-asia-65762707)\n- [The women fighting Japan’s sexual violence stigma](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-asia-pacific-65766825)\n\nHis government is yet to disclose any plans to change or review marriage legislation. But it has passed a law criminalising discrimination on the basis of sexuality - but this has been criticised by LGBT+ activists for stopping well short of recognising marriage equality.\n\nOn Thursday, a Sapporo court ruling said it was \"strongly expected\" that parliament would at some point \"institutionalise an appropriate same-sex marriage law\", noting the broad public support.\n\nThe court also found that: \"Living in accordance with one's gender identity and sexual orientation is an inalienable right rooted in important person interests.\"\n\nAt least half a dozen legal cases challenging the marriage ban have been waged since since 2019. In 2021, the Sapporo court made a landmark ruling [declaring the ban unconstitutional](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-56425002).\n\nThe cases have been closely watched in a country still largely bound by traditional gender roles and family values.","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

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4. Spam/Ban Check

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5. Seen Status Check

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1 month ago

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URL	https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68561968
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Meta Title	Japan same-sex marriage ban ruled unconstitutional again by courts
Meta Description	LGBT+ activists hail the legal win but say real reform is still up to a conservative legislature.
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Boilerpipe Text	14 March 2024 Frances Mao & Sakiko Shiraishi in Singapore and Tokyo Reuters Japan's constitution currently defines marriage as one between "both sexes" Two more rulings in Japanese district courts have added weight to the push for same-sex marriage to be legalised. This week, courts in Tokyo and Sapporo ruled the nation's current ban was "unconstitutional", in line with previous landmark verdicts. The rulings in separate cases found that the ban breached citizens' rights. Even as they welcomed the verdicts, activists warned that the historic step of legalising same-sex unions would still need to come from lawmakers. Currently, Japan remains the only G7 country not to fully recognise same-sex couples or offer them clear legal protection. But it is not an outlier in Asia, where Taiwan is the only place to allow same-sex unions. While several municipalities and prefectures in Japan issue same-sex partnership certificates, which provide some benefits, they do not offer equal legal recognition. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has come under increased pressure on the issue in recent years as public support has grown significantly. Polls show up to 70% of the population supports same-sex unions. But Mr Kishida has struggled to pass reforms in his own party in the face of fierce opposition from traditional leadership. Marriage equality eludes Japan's same-sex couples Why is Japan redefining rape? The women fighting Japan’s sexual violence stigma His government is yet to disclose any plans to change or review marriage legislation. But it has passed a law criminalising discrimination on the basis of sexuality - but this has been criticised by LGBT+ activists for stopping well short of recognising marriage equality. On Thursday, a Sapporo court ruling said it was "strongly expected" that parliament would at some point "institutionalise an appropriate same-sex marriage law", noting the broad public support. The court also found that: "Living in accordance with one's gender identity and sexual orientation is an inalienable right rooted in important person interests." At least half a dozen legal cases challenging the marriage ban have been waged since since 2019. In 2021, the Sapporo court made a landmark ruling declaring the ban unconstitutional . The cases have been closely watched in a country still largely bound by traditional gender roles and family values.
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This week, courts in Tokyo and Sapporo ruled the nation's current ban was "unconstitutional", in line with previous landmark verdicts. The rulings in separate cases found that the ban breached citizens' rights. Even as they welcomed the verdicts, activists warned that the historic step of legalising same-sex unions would still need to come from lawmakers. Currently, Japan remains the only G7 country not to fully recognise same-sex couples or offer them clear legal protection. But it is not an outlier in Asia, where Taiwan is the only place to allow same-sex unions. While several municipalities and prefectures in Japan issue same-sex partnership certificates, which provide some benefits, they do not offer equal legal recognition. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has come under increased pressure on the issue in recent years as public support has grown significantly. Polls show up to 70% of the population supports same-sex unions. But Mr Kishida has struggled to pass reforms in his own party in the face of fierce opposition from traditional leadership. - [Marriage equality eludes Japan's same-sex couples](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66173433) - [Why is Japan redefining rape?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-65762707) - [The women fighting Japan’s sexual violence stigma](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-65766825) His government is yet to disclose any plans to change or review marriage legislation. But it has passed a law criminalising discrimination on the basis of sexuality - but this has been criticised by LGBT+ activists for stopping well short of recognising marriage equality. On Thursday, a Sapporo court ruling said it was "strongly expected" that parliament would at some point "institutionalise an appropriate same-sex marriage law", noting the broad public support. The court also found that: "Living in accordance with one's gender identity and sexual orientation is an inalienable right rooted in important person interests." At least half a dozen legal cases challenging the marriage ban have been waged since since 2019. In 2021, the Sapporo court made a landmark ruling [declaring the ban unconstitutional](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56425002). The cases have been closely watched in a country still largely bound by traditional gender roles and family values. [Asia](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c5rznn0nvvyt) [Japan](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cjnwl8q4g7nt) [Same-sex marriage](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cjxv139mm9xt) * Related [Vote counting begins in Nepal election - when will we get the result?](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cev7z9802zjo) [Sri Lanka takes control of second Iranian vessel a day after US sub attack](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c747vezn7zwo) ['What is the game plan?': The Iran war is unsettling China and its ambitions](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2044vzrdpzo) * More from the BBC [2 days ago ![Woman wearing white walking past a wall with a sign of the Unification Church in Japan](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Japanese court upholds order to dissolve Unification Church The church popularly known as Moonies came under scrutiny after the 2022 killing of ex-PM Shinzo Abe. 2 days ago](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrxx5x7wyko) [2 days ago ![Skiers dot a snowcovered mountain slope with cable cars and trees at the sides.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Australian girl, 8, killed in snowmobile accident in Japan It is the fourth Australian death at a Japanese ski resort this year. 2 days ago](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yk5yw49nqo) [8 days ago ![Baby Japanese macaque monkey cuddling a toy orangutan](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Weekly quiz: How did this baby monkey break the internet's heart? 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Readable Markdown	14 March 2024 Frances Mao & Sakiko Shiraishiin Singapore and Tokyo ![Reuters FILE PHOTO: Plaintiffs hold hands each other after a district court ruled on the legality of same-sex marriages outside Sapporo district court in Sapporo](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4B53/production/_125538291_076841025.jpg.webp)Reuters Japan's constitution currently defines marriage as one between "both sexes" Two more rulings in Japanese district courts have added weight to the push for same-sex marriage to be legalised. This week, courts in Tokyo and Sapporo ruled the nation's current ban was "unconstitutional", in line with previous landmark verdicts. The rulings in separate cases found that the ban breached citizens' rights. Even as they welcomed the verdicts, activists warned that the historic step of legalising same-sex unions would still need to come from lawmakers. Currently, Japan remains the only G7 country not to fully recognise same-sex couples or offer them clear legal protection. But it is not an outlier in Asia, where Taiwan is the only place to allow same-sex unions. While several municipalities and prefectures in Japan issue same-sex partnership certificates, which provide some benefits, they do not offer equal legal recognition. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has come under increased pressure on the issue in recent years as public support has grown significantly. Polls show up to 70% of the population supports same-sex unions. But Mr Kishida has struggled to pass reforms in his own party in the face of fierce opposition from traditional leadership. - [Marriage equality eludes Japan's same-sex couples](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66173433) - [Why is Japan redefining rape?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-65762707) - [The women fighting Japan’s sexual violence stigma](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-65766825) His government is yet to disclose any plans to change or review marriage legislation. But it has passed a law criminalising discrimination on the basis of sexuality - but this has been criticised by LGBT+ activists for stopping well short of recognising marriage equality. On Thursday, a Sapporo court ruling said it was "strongly expected" that parliament would at some point "institutionalise an appropriate same-sex marriage law", noting the broad public support. The court also found that: "Living in accordance with one's gender identity and sexual orientation is an inalienable right rooted in important person interests." At least half a dozen legal cases challenging the marriage ban have been waged since since 2019. In 2021, the Sapporo court made a landmark ruling [declaring the ban unconstitutional](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56425002). The cases have been closely watched in a country still largely bound by traditional gender roles and family values.
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