Japan's Justice Ministry clears path to same-sex marriage

The Japan Times reports that:  The Justice Ministry plans to clear the path for Japanese nationals overseas to marry same-sex partners who are citizens of countries where such unions are legal, ministry sources said Thursday.

The ministry will issue certificates necessary for Japanese citizens to marry foreign citizens overseas, the sources said, adding the decision will soon be conveyed to legal affairs bureaus across the nation.

The ministry has so far rejected the issuance of such certificates to Japanese citizens seeking to marry same-sex partners of foreign nationality as such marriages are not approved under domestic law.

To marry foreigners abroad, all Japanese nationals, regardless of sexual orientation, must obtain certificates from the ministry by submitting documents that include their name, birth data, sex and nationality, and similar information about their marriage partner. Click here for the rest of the story!