In a landmark ruling, Japan's Sapporo District Court on Wednesday said that not allowing same-sex couples to marry is "unconstitutional."
This is the first ever ruling in Japan regarding the legality of same-sex marriage, Reuters reports. The country's constitution defines marriage as being based on "the mutual consent of both sexes," and while municipalities can issue partnership certificates that make it easier for gay couples to rent and visit each other in the hospital, they cannot inherit assets or share parental rights.
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