New Development for Japan Marriage Equality
2026 promises to be make or break for the recognition of same-gender marriage in Japan. As readers will recall, following a number of recent decisions by Japanese High Courts (including a baffling decision from the Tokyo High Court) the Japanese Supreme Court has agreed that it will hear arguments on the constitutionality of marriage equality.
This means that many hoping for their basic human rights to be recognized are going to be on the edge of their seats this year, especially as the National government is so against it, which could be an influence on the court. However, one local government has come out in full support of marriage equality: Shibuya.
Shibuya Government Passes Motion Advocating for Marriage Equality
On 23 March 2026, the Shibuya Ward Assembly adopted a resolution calling on the national government to enact legislation to recognize same-sex marriage. In a press release, the Assembly said: “in 2020, in collaboration with Rainbow Diversity, a project was implemented to investigate and visualize the status of same-sex partnership certification systems in municipalities nationwide (which have become too numerous for individuals to track).
“And now, the Shibuya Ward Assembly has adopted a resolution strongly urging the National Diet and the government to promptly begin legislation regarding same-sex marriage.”
This is part of a larger push among local governments to show support for marriage equality, in the hope of pressuring the national government into acceding to grant marriage as a human right to all people, not just straight couples. In September 2020, the Nagaokakyo City Council in Kyoto Prefecture became the first in the country to adopt a resolution calling for the advancement of discussions toward legalizing same-sex marriage. In December of the same year, the Yamato-Koriyama City Council in Nara Prefecture and the Kiyose City Council in Tokyo joined them.
However, Shibuya’s intervention is especially significant given that it comes after more than a decade of concerted efforts to cultivate equality among all its citizens.
Shibuya’s History of LGBTQ+ Support
Back in 2015 (when the world was at least a little normal), the central Tokyo ward of Shibuya became the first place in Japan to offer partnership oaths to anyone living within its borders. These oaths, while not carrying the full legal weight of marriage, went a long way towards compelling businesses and public organizations in Shibuya to stop or prevent discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. This included hospital visitation rights, and freedom from discrimination when it comes to housing.
Shibuya’s partnership oath system became the standard, and was soon replicated by cities and wards throughout Japan. While initially these oaths were only effective within the borders of the local government that issued them, it wasn’t long until reciprocal recognition agreements became common, allowing LGBTQ+ couples to move to a new location without having to renew their oath. Today, over 92% of Japan offers some form of partnership oath — all based on Shibuya’s groundbreaking actions over a decade ago.
Is Gay Marriage Legal in Japan?
As you can likely glean from the above, it is not. Japan remains the only G7 nation without some form of legal recognition for same-gender couples. This has long been a source of tension in Japanese society, as while Article 24 of the constitution defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, many argue (convincingly) that the following text, which emphasizes equality in a marriage, was designed to prevent abusive or forced marriages, not prevent LGBTQ+ people from being wed. Further, it is direct violation of Article 11, which guarantees fundamental human rights for all people.
This is why it is vital for as much pressure to be placed on the government as possible, to show the strength of feeling of the people of Japan — who consistently support marriage equality in poll after poll — in the hope that the government will listen and act. Shibuya, once again, has proven itself to be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community through its actions.
