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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 166 (from laksa197)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa166.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.independent.co.uk/asia/japan/japan-same-sex-marriage-court-b2711372.html\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/japan/japan-same-sex-marriage-court-b2711372.html\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/asia\/japan\/japan-same-sex-marriage-court-b2711372.html","crawl_time":1773342352,"first_indexed_time":1741424377,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"uk,co,independent!www,\/asia\/japan\/japan-same-sex-marriage-court-b2711372.html s443","src_root_hash":"18367740993482969966","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Japan’s refusal to recognise same-sex marriage unconstitutional, court finds | The Independent","meta_descriptions":["Friday’s decision marks ninth victory out of 10 rulings since the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"A\nJapanese\nHigh Court on Friday ruled that Japan's refusal to legally recognise\nsame-sex marriage is unconstitutional,\nin a victory for same-sex couples and their supporters seeking equal rights.\nFriday’s decision by the Nagoya High Court in central Japan marks the\nninth victory out of 10 rulings\nsince the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019.\nThe decision was also the\nfourth High Court ruling\nin a row to find the current government policy unconstitutional, after similar decisions in\nTokyo\n,\nFukuoka\nand Sapporo.\nAfter a fifth court ruling expected later this month in\nOsaka\n, the\nSupreme Court\nis expected to handle all five appeals and make a decision.\nThe Nagoya court said on Friday that not allowing\nsame-sex couples the legal right to marry violates\na constitutional guarantee of equality. The court also upheld the right to individual dignity and the essential equality of both sexes.\nA supporter for the LGBTQ+ community holds up a poster reading ‘Legalize the same-sex marriage’ as plaintiffs speak in front of media members by the main entrance of the Tokyo district court after hearing the ruling regarding LGBTQ+ marriage rights\n(Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)\nThe current civil law, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, is discrimination based on sexual orientation and lacks rationality, the ruling said.\nThe government has argued that marriage under civil law does not cover same-sex couples and places importance on natural reproduction. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters after the ruling Friday that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion.\nThe plaintiffs and their lawyers say the overwhelming winning record of 9-1 in the courts is already enough and the government should quickly take action.\nMore than 30 plaintiffs have joined the lawsuits on marriage equality filed in five regions across Japan since 2019. They argue that civil law provisions barring same-sex marriage violate the Constitutional right to equality and freedom of marriage.","attrs_markdown":"## Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent\nNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.\n\nNot now\n\nYes please\n\n[Jump to content](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/asia\/japan\/japan-same-sex-marriage-court-b2711372.html#main-content)\n\n[Sign up to our newsletters](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/newsletters)[Subscribe now](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/subscribe?itm_channel=native&itm_campaign=top_right_subscribe&regSourceMethod=Nav%20subscribe%20CTA)\n\n[Log in \/ Register](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/login?regSourceMethod=Nav+register+CTA)\n\n[Independent](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/)\n\n- [Podcasts](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/podcasts?itm_channel=native&itm_campaign=nov_nav_bar&itm_content=podcasts_button)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/newsletters?itm_channel=native&itm_campaign=nov_nav_bar&itm_content=newsletters_button)\n\n[Subscribe](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/subscribe?itm_channel=native&itm_campaign=top_right_subscribe)\n\nMenu\n\nCustom Search\n\n|   |   |\n|---|---|\n|   | Sort by Relevance Date |\n\n- News\n  [News](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/)\n  - 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[Japan](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/asia\/japan)\n\n# Japan’s refusal to recognise same-sex marriage unconstitutional, court finds\n## Friday’s decision marks ninth victory out of 10 rulings since the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019\n[Mari Yamaguchi](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/author\/mari-yamaguchi)\n\nSaturday 08 March 2025 14:11 GMT\n\n- Copy link\n- Bookmark\n\n## Bookmark popover\nRemoved from bookmarks\n\nClose popover\n\nPowered By\n\n10 Sec\n\nNext video in\n\nShare\n\nNext\n\nKEEP WATCHING\n\nSame sex marriage debate\n\n![On The Ground](https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/onTheGround1_1.png)\n\n### On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents\n### Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents\n### Get a weekly international news dispatch\n\n![On The Ground](https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/onTheGround1_1.png)\n\nI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our [Privacy notice](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/service\/privacy-policy-a6184181.html)\n\nA [Japanese](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/japan) High Court on Friday ruled that Japan's refusal to legally recognise [same-sex marriage is unconstitutional,](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/ap-japan-tokyo-supreme-court-lgbtq-b2638192.html) in a victory for same-sex couples and their supporters seeking equal rights.\n\nFriday’s decision by the Nagoya High Court in central Japan marks the [ninth victory out of 10 rulings](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/japan-ap-lgbtq-tokyo-supreme-court-b2663847.html) since the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019.\n\nThe decision was also the [fourth High Court ruling](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/lgbt\/japan-same-sex-marriage-court-ruling-fumio-kishida-b2348254.html) in a row to find the current government policy unconstitutional, after similar decisions in [Tokyo](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/tokyo), [Fukuoka](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/fukuoka) and Sapporo.\n\nAfter a fifth court ruling expected later this month in [Osaka](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/osaka), the [Supreme Court](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/supreme-court) is expected to handle all five appeals and make a decision.\n\nThe Nagoya court said on Friday that not allowing [same-sex couples the legal right to marry violates](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/asia\/japan\/japan-same-sex-ban-unconstitutional-b2512551.html) a constitutional guarantee of equality. The court also upheld the right to individual dignity and the essential equality of both sexes.\n\n![A supporter for the LGBTQ+ community holds up a poster reading ‘Legalize the same-sex marriage’ as plaintiffs speak in front of media members by the main entrance of the Tokyo district court after hearing the ruling regarding LGBTQ+ marriage rights](https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/03\/07\/16\/Japan_LGBTQ_73123.jpg)\n\nA supporter for the LGBTQ+ community holds up a poster reading ‘Legalize the same-sex marriage’ as plaintiffs speak in front of media members by the main entrance of the Tokyo district court after hearing the ruling regarding LGBTQ+ marriage rights (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)\n\nThe current civil law, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, is discrimination based on sexual orientation and lacks rationality, the ruling said.\n\nThe government has argued that marriage under civil law does not cover same-sex couples and places importance on natural reproduction. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters after the ruling Friday that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion.\n\nThe plaintiffs and their lawyers say the overwhelming winning record of 9-1 in the courts is already enough and the government should quickly take action.\n\nMore than 30 plaintiffs have joined the lawsuits on marriage equality filed in five regions across Japan since 2019. They argue that civil law provisions barring same-sex marriage violate the Constitutional right to equality and freedom of marriage.\n\n### More about\n[Tokyo](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/tokyo)[Supreme Court](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/supreme-court)[Osaka](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/osaka)[Fukuoka](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/fukuoka)[Sapporo](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/sapporo)[same-sex marriages](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/same-sex-marriages)[same-sex marriage](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/same-sex-marriage)[marriage equality](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/marriage-equality)\n\n### Most popular\n### Popular videos\n### Bulletin\n### Read next\n\n- [Get in touch](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/)\n  - [Contact us](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/service\/contact-us-759589.html)\n- [Our Products](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/)\n  - [Subscribe](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/subscribe?itm_channel=native&itm_campaign=footer&itm_audience=prospecting&itm_content=subscribe)\n  - 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[Code of conduct and complaints](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/service\/code-of-conduct-a6184241.html)\n  - [Contributors](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/service\/external-contributors-policy-7905982.html)\n  - [Cookie policy](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/service\/cookie-policy-a6184186.html)\n  - [Donations Terms & Conditions](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/service\/contributions-terms-and-conditions-a9308071.html)\n  - [Privacy policy](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/service\/privacy-notice-a6184181.html)\n  - [User policies](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/service\/user-policies-a6184151.html)\n  - [Modern Slavery Statement](https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/IND-Modern-Slavery-Statement-2024.pdf)\n\n### Thank you for registering\nPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in","attrs_readable_markdown":"A [Japanese](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/japan) High Court on Friday ruled that Japan's refusal to legally recognise [same-sex marriage is unconstitutional,](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/ap-japan-tokyo-supreme-court-lgbtq-b2638192.html) in a victory for same-sex couples and their supporters seeking equal rights.\n\nFriday’s decision by the Nagoya High Court in central Japan marks the [ninth victory out of 10 rulings](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/japan-ap-lgbtq-tokyo-supreme-court-b2663847.html) since the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019.\n\nThe decision was also the [fourth High Court ruling](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/lgbt\/japan-same-sex-marriage-court-ruling-fumio-kishida-b2348254.html) in a row to find the current government policy unconstitutional, after similar decisions in [Tokyo](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/tokyo), [Fukuoka](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/fukuoka) and Sapporo.\n\nAfter a fifth court ruling expected later this month in [Osaka](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/osaka), the [Supreme Court](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/supreme-court) is expected to handle all five appeals and make a decision.\n\nThe Nagoya court said on Friday that not allowing [same-sex couples the legal right to marry violates](https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/asia\/japan\/japan-same-sex-ban-unconstitutional-b2512551.html) a constitutional guarantee of equality. The court also upheld the right to individual dignity and the essential equality of both sexes.\n\n![A supporter for the LGBTQ+ community holds up a poster reading ‘Legalize the same-sex marriage’ as plaintiffs speak in front of media members by the main entrance of the Tokyo district court after hearing the ruling regarding LGBTQ+ marriage rights](https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/03\/07\/16\/Japan_LGBTQ_73123.jpg)\n\nA supporter for the LGBTQ+ community holds up a poster reading ‘Legalize the same-sex marriage’ as plaintiffs speak in front of media members by the main entrance of the Tokyo district court after hearing the ruling regarding LGBTQ+ marriage rights (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)\n\nThe current civil law, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, is discrimination based on sexual orientation and lacks rationality, the ruling said.\n\nThe government has argued that marriage under civil law does not cover same-sex couples and places importance on natural reproduction. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters after the ruling Friday that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion.\n\nThe plaintiffs and their lawyers say the overwhelming winning record of 9-1 in the courts is already enough and the government should quickly take action.\n\nMore than 30 plaintiffs have joined the lawsuits on marriage equality filed in five regions across Japan since 2019. They argue that civil law provisions barring same-sex marriage violate the Constitutional right to equality and freedom of marriage.","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Japan’s refusal to recognise same-sex marriage unconstitutional, court finds \| The Independent
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Boilerpipe Text	A Japanese High Court on Friday ruled that Japan's refusal to legally recognise same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, in a victory for same-sex couples and their supporters seeking equal rights. Friday’s decision by the Nagoya High Court in central Japan marks the ninth victory out of 10 rulings since the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019. The decision was also the fourth High Court ruling in a row to find the current government policy unconstitutional, after similar decisions in Tokyo , Fukuoka and Sapporo. After a fifth court ruling expected later this month in Osaka , the Supreme Court is expected to handle all five appeals and make a decision. The Nagoya court said on Friday that not allowing same-sex couples the legal right to marry violates a constitutional guarantee of equality. The court also upheld the right to individual dignity and the essential equality of both sexes. A supporter for the LGBTQ+ community holds up a poster reading ‘Legalize the same-sex marriage’ as plaintiffs speak in front of media members by the main entrance of the Tokyo district court after hearing the ruling regarding LGBTQ+ marriage rights (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The current civil law, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, is discrimination based on sexual orientation and lacks rationality, the ruling said. The government has argued that marriage under civil law does not cover same-sex couples and places importance on natural reproduction. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters after the ruling Friday that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion. The plaintiffs and their lawyers say the overwhelming winning record of 9-1 in the courts is already enough and the government should quickly take action. More than 30 plaintiffs have joined the lawsuits on marriage equality filed in five regions across Japan since 2019. They argue that civil law provisions barring same-sex marriage violate the Constitutional right to equality and freedom of marriage.
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[Japan](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/japan) # Japan’s refusal to recognise same-sex marriage unconstitutional, court finds ## Friday’s decision marks ninth victory out of 10 rulings since the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019 [Mari Yamaguchi](https://www.independent.co.uk/author/mari-yamaguchi) Saturday 08 March 2025 14:11 GMT - Copy link - Bookmark ## Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks Close popover Powered By 10 Sec Next video in Share Next KEEP WATCHING Same sex marriage debate ![On The Ground](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/onTheGround1_1.png) ### On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents ### Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents ### Get a weekly international news dispatch ![On The Ground](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/onTheGround1_1.png) I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our [Privacy notice](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) A [Japanese](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/japan) High Court on Friday ruled that Japan's refusal to legally recognise [same-sex marriage is unconstitutional,](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ap-japan-tokyo-supreme-court-lgbtq-b2638192.html) in a victory for same-sex couples and their supporters seeking equal rights. Friday’s decision by the Nagoya High Court in central Japan marks the [ninth victory out of 10 rulings](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/japan-ap-lgbtq-tokyo-supreme-court-b2663847.html) since the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019. The decision was also the [fourth High Court ruling](https://www.independent.co.uk/lgbt/japan-same-sex-marriage-court-ruling-fumio-kishida-b2348254.html) in a row to find the current government policy unconstitutional, after similar decisions in [Tokyo](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/tokyo), [Fukuoka](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/fukuoka) and Sapporo. After a fifth court ruling expected later this month in [Osaka](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/osaka), the [Supreme Court](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/supreme-court) is expected to handle all five appeals and make a decision. The Nagoya court said on Friday that not allowing [same-sex couples the legal right to marry violates](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/japan/japan-same-sex-ban-unconstitutional-b2512551.html) a constitutional guarantee of equality. The court also upheld the right to individual dignity and the essential equality of both sexes. ![A supporter for the LGBTQ+ community holds up a poster reading ‘Legalize the same-sex marriage’ as plaintiffs speak in front of media members by the main entrance of the Tokyo district court after hearing the ruling regarding LGBTQ+ marriage rights](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/03/07/16/Japan_LGBTQ_73123.jpg) A supporter for the LGBTQ+ community holds up a poster reading ‘Legalize the same-sex marriage’ as plaintiffs speak in front of media members by the main entrance of the Tokyo district court after hearing the ruling regarding LGBTQ+ marriage rights (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The current civil law, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, is discrimination based on sexual orientation and lacks rationality, the ruling said. The government has argued that marriage under civil law does not cover same-sex couples and places importance on natural reproduction. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters after the ruling Friday that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion. The plaintiffs and their lawyers say the overwhelming winning record of 9-1 in the courts is already enough and the government should quickly take action. More than 30 plaintiffs have joined the lawsuits on marriage equality filed in five regions across Japan since 2019. They argue that civil law provisions barring same-sex marriage violate the Constitutional right to equality and freedom of marriage. ### More about [Tokyo](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/tokyo)[Supreme Court](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/supreme-court)[Osaka](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/osaka)[Fukuoka](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/fukuoka)[Sapporo](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/sapporo)[same-sex marriages](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/same-sex-marriages)[same-sex marriage](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/same-sex-marriage)[marriage equality](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/marriage-equality) ### Most popular ### Popular videos ### Bulletin ### Read next - [Get in touch](https://www.independent.co.uk/) - [Contact us](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/contact-us-759589.html) - [Our Products](https://www.independent.co.uk/) - [Subscribe](https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe?itm_channel=native&itm_campaign=footer&itm_audience=prospecting&itm_content=subscribe) - [Register](https://www.independent.co.uk/register?itm_channel=native&itm_campaign=footer&itm_content=register&regSourceMethod=Footer+register+CTA) - [Newsletters](https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters?itm_channel=native&itm_campaign=footer&itm_audience=prospecting&itm_content=newsletters) - [Donate](https://www.independent.co.uk/donate?itm_channel=native&itm_campaign=footer&itm_audience=prospecting&itm_content=donate) - [Today’s Edition](https://edition.independent.co.uk/) - [Install our app](https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app?itm_channel=native&itm_campaign=app_selling_page&itm_audience=prospecting&itm_content=footer) - [Archive](https://www.independent.co.uk/archive) - [Other publications](https://www.independent.co.uk/) - [International editions](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/journalism-license-srmg-middle-east-news-world-global-a9579111.html) - [Independent en Español](https://www.independentespanol.com/) - [Independent Arabia](https://www.independentarabia.com/) - [Independent Turkish](https://www.indyturk.com/) - [Independent Persian](https://www.independentpersian.com/) - [Independent Urdu](https://www.independenturdu.com/) - [The Standard](https://www.standard.co.uk/) - [Extras](https://www.independent.co.uk/) - [Puzzles](https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/) - [All topics](https://www.independent.co.uk/topics-list) - [Betting offers](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/free-bets-b2581138.html) - [Latest deals](https://www.independent.co.uk/deals) - [Competitions and offers](https://www.independent.co.uk/competitions) - [Independent Advertising](https://www.independentadvertising.com/) - [Independent Ignite](https://www.independent.co.uk/ignite) - [Syndication](https://www.independentadvertising.com/licensing-and-syndication/) - [Working at The Independent](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-independent/jobs/) - [Legal](https://www.independent.co.uk/) - [Code of conduct and complaints](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/code-of-conduct-a6184241.html) - [Contributors](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/external-contributors-policy-7905982.html) - [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) - [Donations Terms & Conditions](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/contributions-terms-and-conditions-a9308071.html) - [Privacy policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-notice-a6184181.html) - [User policies](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) - [Modern Slavery Statement](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/IND-Modern-Slavery-Statement-2024.pdf) ### Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Readable Markdown	A [Japanese](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/japan) High Court on Friday ruled that Japan's refusal to legally recognise [same-sex marriage is unconstitutional,](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ap-japan-tokyo-supreme-court-lgbtq-b2638192.html) in a victory for same-sex couples and their supporters seeking equal rights. Friday’s decision by the Nagoya High Court in central Japan marks the [ninth victory out of 10 rulings](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/japan-ap-lgbtq-tokyo-supreme-court-b2663847.html) since the first group of plaintiffs filed lawsuits in 2019. The decision was also the [fourth High Court ruling](https://www.independent.co.uk/lgbt/japan-same-sex-marriage-court-ruling-fumio-kishida-b2348254.html) in a row to find the current government policy unconstitutional, after similar decisions in [Tokyo](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/tokyo), [Fukuoka](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/fukuoka) and Sapporo. After a fifth court ruling expected later this month in [Osaka](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/osaka), the [Supreme Court](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/supreme-court) is expected to handle all five appeals and make a decision. The Nagoya court said on Friday that not allowing [same-sex couples the legal right to marry violates](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/japan/japan-same-sex-ban-unconstitutional-b2512551.html) a constitutional guarantee of equality. The court also upheld the right to individual dignity and the essential equality of both sexes. ![A supporter for the LGBTQ+ community holds up a poster reading ‘Legalize the same-sex marriage’ as plaintiffs speak in front of media members by the main entrance of the Tokyo district court after hearing the ruling regarding LGBTQ+ marriage rights](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/03/07/16/Japan_LGBTQ_73123.jpg) A supporter for the LGBTQ+ community holds up a poster reading ‘Legalize the same-sex marriage’ as plaintiffs speak in front of media members by the main entrance of the Tokyo district court after hearing the ruling regarding LGBTQ+ marriage rights (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The current civil law, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, is discrimination based on sexual orientation and lacks rationality, the ruling said. The government has argued that marriage under civil law does not cover same-sex couples and places importance on natural reproduction. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters after the ruling Friday that the government will monitor pending lawsuits and public opinion. The plaintiffs and their lawyers say the overwhelming winning record of 9-1 in the courts is already enough and the government should quickly take action. More than 30 plaintiffs have joined the lawsuits on marriage equality filed in five regions across Japan since 2019. They argue that civil law provisions barring same-sex marriage violate the Constitutional right to equality and freedom of marriage.
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