October 31, 2024

The Tokyo High Court on October 30 ruled that the existing legal provisions disallowing same-sex marriage constitute a violation of Article 14 and Article 24 of the Constitution. This was the second high-court “unconstitutional” ruling following the one made by the Sapporo High Court in March.

Article 14 of the Constitution stipulates equality under the law and Article 24 calls for establishing a family law based on individual dignity and gender equality.

Later in the day at a press conference, Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Tamura Tomoko welcomed the high court ruling.

Tamura noted that as same-sex couples who have children are not legally recognized as families, they suffer from numerous disadvantages. Stating, “This situation is unacceptable from the standpoint of the Constitution guaranteeing the freedom of marriage and equality under the law,” Tamura said, “Now is the time for the Diet to take action to legalize same-sex marriage.”

Past related article:
> Sapporo district court recognizes ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional [March 18, 2021]