"Japanese High Court Declares Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional"

Japan's Sapporo High Court ruled that the country's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, marking the first such decision by an appeals court and challenging the conservative Liberal Democratic Party's opposition. The court deemed the civil code rules limiting marriage to opposite sexes as discriminatory and unconstitutional, although it dismissed the plaintiffs' claim for damages. The plaintiffs are considering appealing to the Supreme Court, while the government is monitoring other upcoming court decisions on the matter.