On Monday, a Japanese court determined that a prohibition on same-gender marriage is not unconstitutional.
Japan is the only country in the Group of Seven that prohibits couples of the same gender from marrying.
In March 2021, a court in Sapporo ruled in favour of a lawsuit that prohibiting same-sex marriage was illegal.
The complaint was filed in Osaka district court by three same-sex couples.
In addition to dismissing their argument, the court also dismissed their claim for damages of one million yen ($7,400).
Members of same-sex couples in Japan are not able to legally marry, inherit each other’s assets, or have parental rights over each other’s children under existing laws.
Writing by Saadatu Albashir