Japan's ban on recognizing same-sex unions is unconstitutional, a court finds. Here's what to know - WTOP News

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

62% : Same-sex couples seek the same rights to pursue happiness and social recognition as a family.
54% : Though discrimination still exists at school, work and elsewhere, public backing for legalizing same-sex marriage and support among the business community have rapidly increased in recent years.
48% : "We'll continue fighting until we achieve legalization of same-sex marriage," she said and urged the government to legalize marriage equality as soon as possible.
46% : Three same-sex couples from Fukuoka and Kumamoto in southwestern Japan are the plaintiffs in Friday's case.
43% : The judge said there is no longer any reason to not legally recognize same-sex marriage.
43% : The government has argued that marriage under civil law does not cover same-sex couples and places importance on natural reproduction.
43% : Japan is the only member of the Group of Seven industrialized countries that does not recognize same-sex marriage or provide any other form of legally binding protection for LGBTQ+ couples.
41% : They argue that civil law provisions barring same-sex marriage violate the Constitutional right to equality and freedom of marriage.
41% : Hundreds of municipalities have introduced non-binding recognition system such as partnership certificates in recent years, which are considered an improvement, but activists say that's not enough.
39% : Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, considered a centrist who has indicated support for same-sex marriage, told a parliamentary session last week he is aware of the sufferings of the same-sex couples and that he will not just "sit back and do nothing."
38% : In Friday's ruling, presiding Judge Takeshi Okada noted that the current civil law provisions barring the marriage of same-sex couples violates their fundamental right to the pursuit of happiness guaranteed under Article 13 of the Japanese Constitution.
35% : TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's refusal to recognize same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, a high court ruled Friday, the latest victory for the LGBGQ+ community to add pressure on the reluctant government.

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