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Seeking equality, couple in Kyoto calls for legalization of same-sex marriage in Japan This is an article about Machi Sakata and Theresa Stieger a couple who live together Kyoto. It explains some of the issues they face as a result of not being able to marry in Japan even though they married in the United States. Mainichi, 26 Oct 2021.
LGBT Japan: A and O's Story A & O, a lesbian couple, have been together for more than twenty years. They have a five-year old son together but the family face constant discrimination as O cannot be recognized as the child’s mother under Japanese law. Amnesty International, 20 Nov 2017.
In a first, LGBT couples sue Japan over constitutionality of not recognizing same-sex marriage In the first legal challenge of its kind in Japan, couples of various age groups, from their 20s to 50s, simultaneously brought suits to district courts in Nagoya, Osaka, Sapporo and Tokyo on Valentine’s Day. The article looks at arguments that the constitution doesn't prohibit same-sex marriage and that it is unconstitutional to deny the right to marry to some people. It also explains some of the problems with health care that people in same-sex relationships face. Japan Times, Feb 14, 2019. Includes the video above.
選択肢ないのおかしい・・・英国で同性婚の日本人に密着 The story of Kan san who wanted to marry his British partner, Tom, in Japan, but instead went to live in the UK and married him there. They still hope to marry in Japan. ANN News, 29 Sep 2021.
私たちも「ふうふ」と認めて 同性婚実現を願う2人 法律上は赤の他人…家族としての安心得られず This is an article of voices and situation of how same sex couple is living in Japan. 8カンテレ、22 Nov, 2021
レズビアンですが結婚しています。LGBT当事者の体験談 Thia is a story of a lesbian women who gets merried with a men, but having a female partner at the same time. 株式会社Nijiリクルーティング, 23 Octm 2020.
人生を変えた、結婚式。LGBTカップルの結婚式体験談 This is a story of same sex couple who got wedding ceremony in Japan. Wedding park, 5 Jun, 2015.
ゲイカップル、代理出産に挑む（1） This is a story about a gay couple want to have their blood related baby. imidas, 12 Feb, 2016.
「結婚指輪が私たちの関係をオープンにするきっかけをくれた。」LGBTQの女性カップルに聞いた、結婚やブライダルリングへの想い This is a story about female couple toward marriage and wedding rings. マイナビウエディング, 2021.
【EXIT】同性カップルにリアルな体験談を聞いてみた！【めざまし8】
This is a videa that EXIT (Japanese comedian) interviews same sex couple about their life and story. めざまし8, 5 Jul, 2021.
Tokyo same-sex partner plans highlight road ahead for LGBTQ rights This article looks Tokyo Metropolitan Government's plans to create a same-sex partnership system and the impact that may have on the campaign for same-sex marriage in Japan, as well as the issues facing same-sex couples in Japan in the current situation and other important issues for achieving equal rights for the LGBTIQ community in Japan. Kyodo News, 10 Jan 2022.
Japanese court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutionalThe Sapporo District Court ruled on Wednesday that Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. The landmark decision could pave the way for change in the only G7 nation yet to full recognize such unions.
Japan gave 93 foreign nationals the OK to bring in same-sex spouses since 2013 Japan Times, 27 Mar 2021.
Japan companies to accept same-sex partnership certificates by NGO About 20 companies in Japan will start accepting "partnership certificates" in July for same-sex couples issued by a nongovernmental organization as a way of providing employees with spousal and familial benefits available to straight married couples, people familiar with the matter said Saturday. Mainichi Japan, 26 Apr 2020.
Tokyo court rules same-sex common-law couple has marriage legal protections In an apparent first high court ruling of its kind, a same-sex common-law couple in Japan has been recognized as having the same legal protections as a married couple, after the Tokyo High Court ruled in favor of a woman who sued her former same-sex partner for damages over infidelity. Mainichi Japan. 5 Mar 2020.
Japan’s Support for Gay Marriage Is Soaring. But Can It Become Law? The country is being pulled in two directions as it experiences a “boom” in L.G.B.T. awareness but also remains committed to a sometimes inflexible traditional culture. New York Times, 27 Nov 2019.
What should Japan's next step on same-sex marriage be? After 13 same-sex couples sued the government for not recognizing same-sex marriages, this article presents the views of three people connected to the issue: Hiroshi Ikeda, an activist with Same-Sex Partnership Net Japan who looks at the difficulties that same -sex couple face because of they can't marry; Tomomi Inada, a Liberal Democratic party policy chief who chaired the party'(s Special Mission Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in 2016; and lawyer Alexander Dmitrenko who represented same-sex couples in lawsuits in Canada. The Mainichi, 22 Feb 2019.
American in gay marriage to sue for residence status in Japan An American in a same-sex marriage recognized in the United States plans to file a lawsuit to obtain a residence status that will allow him to continue living in Japan with his Japanese partner. Asahi Shimbun, 5 Sep 2019.
Time to discuss same-sex marriage An editorial from the japan Times, 28 Sep 2019
Interpretation of constitutional clause a key point in same-sex marriage lawsuits This article discusses interpretation of Article 24 of the Constitution, which stipulates that "marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes," a key point of contention in lawsuits filed by same-sex couples arguing that the current system barring them from officially tying the knot is unconstitutional, and also considers other Supreme Court judgements on the constitutionality of various policies. The Mainichi, February 15, 2019.
The fight for marriage equality in Japan Japan is the only country in the G7 that doesn't recognize same sex marriage. This Valentine's Day, thirteen same-sex couples jointly filed lawsuits seeking the right to marry, the first class action case of its kind in the country. NHK World, February 28, 2019.
Justice Ministry overturns deportation order for gay Taiwanese man without visa In a rare move, the Justice Ministry has revoked a deportation order for a gay Taiwanese man who remained in Japan illegally after overstaying his visa, apparently giving consideration to his longtime partnership with a Japanese national. Japan Times, Mar 22, 2019.
The constitution and same-sex marriage in Japan A discussion from Marriage for All Japan.
同性パートナーシップ・ネット/ Same-Sex Partnership Net Japan
Marriage for All Japan “Marriage For All Japan” is aiming to realize a society in which everyone can have a choice of either getting married if they wish or remaining unmarried without being forced to do so, regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Equal Marriage Alliance (EMA) Japan それぞれの「家族」のカタチ パートナーの性別にかかわりなく「家族」になれる
平等な結婚（同性結婚）が認められる社会を目指し、EMA日本は活動しています。EMA Japan advocates legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Japan.
Lawyers for LGBT & Allies Network / LGBTとアライのための法律家ネットワーク Includes lots of information about marriage equality.
Does the Japanese Constitution prohibit same-sex marriage? Same-sex couples in Japan are suing the government, calling their inability to marry unconstitutional. Timothy Magarry looks at the Japanese constitution and it’s stance on same-sex marriage. The Monsoon Project, 19 March 2019.
Same sex lesbian wedding @ Tokyo's Disneyland Koyuki Higashi and her partner Hiroko became the first couple to hold a same-sex wedding at Japan's Magical Kingdom on March 1st, 2013. Click on show more for an article about the wedding.
パートナー法ネット "パートナーが同性である場合、法体系のみに留まらず、社会のあらゆる場面で差別が見受けられます。そういった差別意識は勉学・雇用・経済・医療・住居と広く私たちの生活に根付いてしまっています."
Tokyo's Shibuya ward is first in Japan to recognise same-sex marriage Officials in popular shopping and entertainment district will give certificates to same-sex couples and are planning educational campaign on LGBT issues. Guardian Mar 31, 2015.
Tokyo's Shibuya district takes steps to recognize same-sex partnerships CNN, 1 April 2015.
Japanese ruling could pave the way for same-sex marriage A ruling by Japan’s Supreme Court last month could lead to same-sex couples being able to marry. Pink News, Jan 2016
Same-sex marriage in Japan takes another huge step forward City of Iga will be the third ward to give same-sex couples the ability to obtain a union certificate. Gay Star News, 17 Feb 2017.
Japan's first official same-sex couple celebrate union in Tokyo This story reports on the first couple to have a same sex partnership recognised in Japan and also discusses attitudes to same-sex partnerships in Japan and education abut sexual diversity and same-sex attraction in schools. CNN, 5 Nov, 2015
Naha City is to introduce same-sex partnership certificates by July Out Japan, 23 Feb 2016.
Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture has become 4th municipality that issues same-sex partnership certificates in Japan. Out Japan, 2nd Jun 2016.
Sapporo LGBT activists to take fight for equality to city officials A lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights group here including human rights lawyers is set to take its campaign for the official recognition of same-sex partnerships to the Sapporo city government and assembly. Asahi Shimbun, 16 Apr 2016.
日本における法制度の現状 and 生活上の問題 Information from パートナー法ネット / Partnership Law Japan
Rainbow Families (Nijiro Kazoku)
LGBT Family & Friends Group (LGBT no Kazoku to Yuujin o Tsunagukai LGBTの家族と友人を繋ぐ会)
同性婚の不受理、初の違憲判断 札幌地裁「差別的扱い」 This is an article about the first judical decision which is same sex couple are not allowed to get married by the law is unconstitutional, in Sapporo. 朝日新聞、17 Mar 2021