Japan’s Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional?

Japan continues to not permit gay marriage, and while its laws promoting LGBTQ+ rights and against discrimination are rather limited to say the least, being gay is not criminalised. However, on 14th March 2024 courts in Tokyo and Sapporo ruled that the national ban on gay marriage is unconsistutional. It’s not the first time a Japanese court has come to this conclusion and it puts an increasing amount of pressure on lawmakers to work towards legalising gay marriage. It reflects increasing support in the Japanese population towards improving equality. The question is whether the traditonal views against gay marriage that are quite entrenched in government will shift in line with public support. I hope so.