Living collectively for 5 years, this same-sex couple desires of getting married. We adopted their journey as they hope for a society the place everybody can marry freely.

Takakura and Yuta, firm staff dwelling collectively in Kumamoto City, determined to spend their lives collectively. Their easy want is to marry the particular person they love. They met 22 years in the past of their late teenagers and began relationship. Although they have been separated on account of faculty and work, they’ve been dwelling collectively for the previous 5 years and naturally began interested by marriage. Takakura mentioned, “We don’t spend every day feeling special, but I feel like I can be myself the most now.”

In 2020, they submitted a wedding registration, but it surely was rejected as a result of Japan’s present authorized system solely acknowledges marriages between a person and a lady. In 2015, the partnership system began in Shibuya and Setagaya wards in Tokyo, and now over 450 municipalities have adopted it. Takakura and Yuta are utilizing the partnership system in Kumamoto City, which gives some recognition, but it surely doesn’t have authorized power, nor does it grant rights like inheritance or tax deductions just like marriage.

Takakura shared their emotions in an area literary journal about popping out to his boss about desirous to marry his same-sex accomplice. His boss praised him for standing up for his beliefs however didn’t absolutely perceive the scenario. Takakura mirrored, “Just being able to say ‘we are a family’ is something that feels very distant right now.”

The couple joined the so-called same-sex marriage lawsuit, and thus far, there have been six judgments from 5 district courts. Sapporo and Nagoya dominated that it’s unconstitutional to not acknowledge same-sex marriages, whereas Tokyo and Fukuoka deemed it unconstitutional however didn’t require authorized modifications. Osaka dominated it was constitutional, displaying divided opinions. On March 14, in Japan’s first appellate courtroom determination, the Sapporo High Court dominated that the structure’s assure of freedom of marriage consists of same-sex marriage, and never permitting it violates people’ dignity.

The couple spends time at an area bookstore the place Yuta labored part-time as a scholar, and the shop proprietor, Hisako Tajiri, has supported them for a very long time. She mentioned, “They are like my children. Even though 22 years have passed, society hasn’t changed much, but I hope that one day they can get married like everyone else.”

Takakura’s mom additionally helps their relationship however requested to not present her face in interviews to keep away from harassment. She believes that if society and the federal government acknowledged same-sex marriages, extra individuals would really feel supported and never ashamed.

In a world the place same-sex marriage is authorized in 37 nations and areas, Takakura and Yuta hope that sooner or later, everybody in Japan can marry the particular person they love.

Source: 日テレNEWS