- Homosexuality
- ⚢Unknown
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Unregistered cohabitation
- Censorship
- Unknown
- Changing Gender
- Unknown
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Legal, but restricted for minors
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- Unknown
- Hate Crime Protections
- ✖ No protections
- Discrimination
- Unknown
- Employment Discrimination
- Unknown
- Housing Discrimination
- Unknown
- Adoption
- Unknown
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- Unknown
- Donating Blood
- Unknown
- Conversion Therapy
- Unknown
- Age of Consent
- Unknown
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Public Opinion
Niigata is lacking public opinion data.
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Suggest Public Opinion DataHistory
Same-sex marriage in Niigata is unregistered cohabitation.
Current status
Since Mar 26, 2024
Unregistered cohabitation under federal Japan law
In March 2024, Japan's Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples are entitled to compensation if one partner is the victim of a crime. This ruling broadens the interpretation of the law on benefits for crime victims, considering that same-sex couples can be included within the category of "persons in a situation equivalent to a de facto marriage."
Following this decision, the government reported on January 21, 2025, that various ministries and agencies had identified similar language in 24 laws and regulations. These include the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, the Land and Housing Tenancy Act, the Child Abuse Prevention Act, and the Public Housing Act.
On September 30, 2025, the government announced that nine new laws containing the same phrase could include same-sex couples within their scope. They also announced that 120 laws, primarily related to social security, do not cover same-sex couples.
Following this decision, the government reported on January 21, 2025, that various ministries and agencies had identified similar language in 24 laws and regulations. These include the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, the Land and Housing Tenancy Act, the Child Abuse Prevention Act, and the Public Housing Act.
On September 30, 2025, the government announced that nine new laws containing the same phrase could include same-sex couples within their scope. They also announced that 120 laws, primarily related to social security, do not cover same-sex couples.
Banned under federal Japan law
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.
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.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Niigata is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Right to change legal gender in Niigata is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Gender-affirming care in Niigata is legal, but restricted for minors.
Current status
Since May 28, 1997
Legal, but restricted for minors under federal Japan law
The Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology (JSPN) allows Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for those aged 15 and over with parental consent. The law considered to have potentially banned it was the Eugenics Protection Law but in 1998 it was ruled that when done in accordance of JSPN regulations it was not in violation of the law.
Banned under federal Japan law
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Niigata is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Hate crime protections in Niigata is no protections.
Current status
No protections under federal Japan law
Japan does not provide hate crime protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
LGBT employment discrimination in Niigata is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
LGBT housing discrimination in Niigata is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Intersex infant surgery in Niigata is not banned.
Current status
Not banned under federal Japan law
Surgery on intersex infants is legal in Japan.
Serving openly in military in Niigata is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Blood donations by MSMs in Niigata is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Equality Index ?
N/A
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Niigata LGBT Organizations
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