Tokyo Court Blocks Same-Sex Marriage Rights

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBT Politics Asia

TOKYO, JP — (November 29, 2025) — In a deeply disappointing blow to Japan’s LGBTQ community, the Tokyo High Court on Friday ruled that the nation’s ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional — an abrupt departure from the growing legal momentum affirming marriage equality across the country.

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The ruling arrives at a pivotal moment for LGBTQ rights in Japan, the only G7 nation that still denies same-sex couples the dignity, legal protection, and basic human rights that come with marriage. While Taiwan, Thailand, and Nepal have embraced equality, Japan remains locked in a debate that many advocates say is decades overdue.

A Ruling That Defies National Progress

Friday’s verdict stands in stark contrast to earlier decisions from five high courts stretching from Sapporo to Osaka to Fukuoka — all of which concluded that Japan’s marriage ban violates constitutional guarantees of equality. Although those courts denied compensation claims, their rulings collectively signaled that the judiciary was ready to push Japan toward full marriage equality.

Tokyo’s ruling breaks that trajectory

Judge Ayumi Higashi stated that any change to marriage laws should be left to Japan’s parliament — a position LGBTQ advocates say ignores the lived harm caused by denying families legal recognition.

Plaintiffs: “What is justice?”

Outside the courthouse, the plaintiffs held signs reading “UNJUST VERDICT” as supporters and attorneys expressed shock that the nation’s capital would deliver such a regressive decision.

Shino Kawachi, one of the lead plaintiffs, told reporters the ruling was “difficult to comprehend” and questioned whether the court had truly considered the next generation of LGBTQ youth.

“What is justice? Were they even watching us? Were they considering the lives we’re building?” Kawachi said.

Her partner, Hiromi Hatogai, said she was “extremely outraged” and questioned whether the judiciary was standing with the community it claims to protect. Still, she vowed they would not give up.

“This verdict won’t stop us. We’re going to keep fighting,” Hatogai declared.

Human Rights Groups Condemn the Decision

Amnesty International described the ruling as a “damaging step backward,” calling on Japan’s government to take immediate action.

“Japan must move proactively toward legalizing same-sex marriage so that couples can enjoy the same rights as heterosexual families,” said Amnesty East Asia researcher Boram Jang.

Next Stop: Japan’s Supreme Court

This Tokyo decision closes the chapter on six major high court cases filed between 2019 and 2021 — five supporting marriage equality and one rejecting it. Now, the nationwide legal battle advances to Japan’s Supreme Court, where activists hope the overwhelming constitutional precedents favoring equality will finally prevail.

For thousands of LGBTQ couples across Japan, the fight continues — and the demand is simple:

equal marriage, equal dignity, equal rights.

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