Japan lower court rules that not allowing same-sex marriage is unconstitutional

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

56% : Over 300 Japanese municipalities now allow same-sex couples to enter partnership agreements, covering some 65% of the population.
36% : A lower court in Japan on Tuesday ruled that not allowing same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, a large symbolic step towards marriage equality in the only Group of Seven nation with no legal protection for same-sex unions.
36% : Though opinion polls show some 70% of the public supports same-sex marriage, the conservative ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida remains against it.
30% : The ruling by the Nagoya District Court in central Japan was the second of four that found Japan's ban against same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, and could provide further momentum for efforts towards marriage equality.
29% : Kishida in February sacked an aide who sparked outrage by saying people would flee Japan if same-sex marriage were allowed, but the premier remains noncommittal about it and has said discussions must proceed "carefully." (Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)

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