Current Version
| Region | Japan |
| Issue | Same-sex marriage |
| Status | Banned |
| Start Date | May 3, 1947 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | Article 24 of Japan’s constitution states that “Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes” which is interpreted to define marriage as between two people of the opposite sex. Beginning in March of 2021, district courts and high courts across Japan have ruled that Japan restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples is unconstitutional. However, these court rulings do not have any actual effect on the law. More than 200 municipalities across Japan have introduced partnership systems which give same-sex couples the ability to register their relationships. However, the registration is not legally binding and it does not grant any of the rights of marriage. |
| Sources | https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Japan_1946 https://metropolisjapan.com/gay-marriage-in-japan/ |
| Federal Law | Yes |
Revision History (4)
edited by Unknownmiles. Adding info about the constitutional ban, court rulings, and municipal registrations.
Helpful?
1 | Old Value | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Start Date | (unknown) | May 3, 1947 |
| Description | Japan high court has upheld their rulings for keeping same-sex marriage illegal. Most recent ruling being 2023, Toyoko has begun issuing special same-sex partnership certificates. However, they do not mirror same-sex marriage certificates from the country. Moreover, in March of 2025, the Nagoya High Court has ruled the ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. | Article 24 of Japan’s constitution states that “Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes” which is interpreted to define marriage as between two people of the opposite sex. Beginning in March of 2021, district courts and high courts across Japan have ruled that Japan restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples is unconstitutional. However, these court rulings do not have any actual effect on the law. More than 200 municipalities across Japan have introduced partnership systems which give same-sex couples the ability to register their relationships. However, the registration is not legally binding and it does not grant any of the rights of marriage. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://apnews.com/article/japan-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-ruling-court-f869fa7d2b22bfc1eafcd5d6a7c9d5a2 https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/03/japan-groundbreaking-same-sex-marriage-rulings-a-long-awaited-victory-for-lgbti-rights/#:~:text=The%20Court%20still%20upheld%20the,same-sex%20marriage%20was%20unconstitutional. https://mainichi.jp/articles/20250305/k00/00m/040/409000c | https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Japan_1946 https://metropolisjapan.com/gay-marriage-in-japan/ |
Show Difference | ||
| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Japan high court has upheld their rulings for keeping same-sex marriage illegal. Most recent ruling being 2023, Toyoko has begun issuing special same-sex partnership certificates. However, they do not mirror same-sex marriage certificates from the country. | Japan high court has upheld their rulings for keeping same-sex marriage illegal. Most recent ruling being 2023, Toyoko has begun issuing special same-sex partnership certificates. However, they do not mirror same-sex marriage certificates from the country. Moreover, in March of 2025, the Nagoya High Court has ruled the ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://apnews.com/article/japan-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-ruling-court-f869fa7d2b22bfc1eafcd5d6a7c9d5a2 https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/03/japan-groundbreaking-same-sex-marriage-rulings-a-long-awaited-victory-for-lgbti-rights/#:~:text=The%20Court%20still%20upheld%20the,same-sex%20marriage%20was%20unconstitutional. | https://apnews.com/article/japan-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-ruling-court-f869fa7d2b22bfc1eafcd5d6a7c9d5a2 https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/03/japan-groundbreaking-same-sex-marriage-rulings-a-long-awaited-victory-for-lgbti-rights/#:~:text=The%20Court%20still%20upheld%20the,same-sex%20marriage%20was%20unconstitutional. https://mainichi.jp/articles/20250305/k00/00m/040/409000c |
Show Difference | ||
edited by BlkPride. It really didn’t vary by region; same-sex marriage has always been banned.
Helpful?
0 | Old Value (Original) | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | Banned |
| Special Status | Varies by Region | Banned |
| Start Date | Jan 1, 2023 | (unknown) |
| Federal Law | No | Yes |
| Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | Varies by Region |
| Start Date | Jan 1, 2023 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | Japan high court has upheld their rulings for keeping same-sex marriage illegal. Most recent ruling being 2023, Toyoko has begun issuing special same-sex partnership certificates. However, they do not mirror same-sex marriage certificates from the country. |
| Sources | https://apnews.com/article/japan-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-ruling-court-f869fa7d2b22bfc1eafcd5d6a7c9d5a2 https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/03/japan-groundbreaking-same-sex-marriage-rulings-a-long-awaited-victory-for-lgbti-rights/#:~:text=The%20Court%20still%20upheld%20the,same-sex%20marriage%20was%20unconstitutional. |
Reports (1)
- Status is not correct "https://apnews.com/article/japan-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-ruling-court-f869fa7d2b22bfc1eafcd5d6a7c9d5a2
Some of the regions should be something like, green."