A high court in Japan ruled the country's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, despite opposition from the conservative government. The ruling was welcomed by rights groups but the government is considering its next steps.
Key Points
High court in Japan ruled the ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional
Japan is the only G7 country where same-sex marriage is illegal
Plaintiffs considering appealing to the Supreme Court for further clarification
Pros
High court ruling deemed Japan's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional
Public support for same-sex unions in Japan is at 70%
Rights groups see the ruling as a step towards equality and diversity
Cons
Opposition from the Liberal Democratic Party of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
Government is considering its next steps after the ruling