Japanese opposition party submits bill to approve same-sex marriage

The bill, which would revise the Civil Code of laws, is effectively a symbolic measure because the ruling coalition wields a significant majority

Japan is the only G7 nation that does not recognise same-sex marriage and PM Fumio Kishida has come under more scrutiny over LGBTQ rights recently

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Supporters hold the “unconstitutional decision” flag in front of the Sapporo District Court on March 17, 2021. Japan is the only Group of 7 nation that does not recognise same-sex marriage. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:58pm, 6 Mar 2023Updated: 5:13pm, 6 Mar 2023

Japan’s main opposition party submitted a bill to parliament on Monday to approve same-sex marriage, hoping to pile pressure on the government before the country hosts the G7 summit in May.

The bill, which would revise the Civil Code of laws, is effectively a symbolic measure because the ruling coalition wields a significant majority and has struggled even to agree on measures outlawing discrimination against sexual minorities.

Japan is the only Group of 7 nation that does not recognise same-sex marriage and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has come under increasing scrutiny over LGBTQ protections in recent weeks.

He drew criticism last week for saying that not recognising same-sex unions “isn’t unfair discrimination by the state”.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida drew criticism last week for saying that not recognising same-sex unions “isn’t unfair discrimination by the state”. Photo: AFP

Japan’s 1947 constitution stipulates that “marriage shall be only with the mutual consent of both sexes”, although recent polls show a majority of Japanese favour recognising same-sex marriage.

“I think it’s discrimination if marriage is recognised legally for heterosexual couples but not same-sex couples,” said Chinami Nishimura, acting chief of the Constitutional Democratic Party that submitted the bill.