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| Plaintiffs of a damages lawsuit claiming the government's ban on same-sex marriage is the unconstitutional head with others to the Osaka District Court in Osaka on June 20, 2022. (Photo by=Kyodo) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] OSAKA: A Japanese court dismissed Monday a damages lawsuit claiming the government's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, in contrast to a historic ruling last year that recognized it as violating the right to equality, Kyodo reported.
In the suit at the Osaka District Court, three same-sex couples sought 1 million yen ($7,400) per person, arguing that the current system preventing them from getting married is "unjust discrimination." Monday's decision also dealt a blow to moves in recent years toward a greater acceptance of sexual minorities. Many prefectural and local governments issue certifications recognizing sexual minority couples but they are legally nonbinding.
The lawsuit revolved around the interpretation of marriage in Article 24 of the charter, which stipulates, "Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes and it shall be maintained through mutual cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as a basis." The Osaka court found the ban on same-sex marriage to be constitutional, saying the disadvantages same-sex couples are facing have eased over time and that "there have not been enough discussions among people in Japan" on what kind of system is appropriate to realize benefits for same-sex couples. Dissatisfied with the ruling, the plaintiffs vowed to appeal. The ruling was hailed as a landmark for LGBTQ activists in Japan.
