March 25, 2024

A rally took place on March 22 in the Diet building to demand that same-sex marriage be legalized in response to the latest court rulings.

In same-sex marriage lawsuits, the Sapporo High Court and Tokyo District Court this month issued rulings that the denial of marriage status to same-sex couples is “unconstitutional” and “in a state of being unconstitutional”, respectively.

The rally was hosted by a civil group named “Marriage for All Japan” and attended by lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties. From the Japanese Communist Party, together with Chair Tamura Tomoko, Akamine Seikan, Motomura Nobuko, Miyamoto Takeshi, and Miyamoto Toru (House of Representatives) and Kurabayashi Akiko, Kira Yoshiko, and Yamazoe Taku (House of Councilors) took part in the event.

Delivering a speech in solidarity, Tamura pointed out that the Sapporo High Court ruling clearly shows the judicial branch’s supportive stance toward same-sex marriage, and said, “What attitude the legislative branch and the government will take is called into question. In order to realize the legalization of same-sex marriage, the JCP will work hard to eliminate obstacles to gay marriages based on outdated patriarchal family norms.”

The group’s director Matsunaka Ken in his speech on behalf of the organizer said, “Our call for marriage equality has gained momentum. It is high time for the Diet to move in this direction.”

Past related article:
> High court: ban on same-sex marriage is against equality under the law [March 16, 2024]