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Lesbian Couple Sue Japanese Government for Equal Marriage



Japanese citizen Ai Nakajima and her German partner Kristina Baumann are joining ten other same sex couples in suing their government for the right to marry, reports The Asahi Shimbun.

 

Nakajima and Baumann married in Germany in September of last year, but their partnership is not recognised across the entirety of Japan – a few cities and wards currently do recognise same sex unions, but most of the country remains steadfast against it, while marriage is not legal anywhere.

 

“We are facing a reality where (a same-sex couple) cannot get married in Japan yet,” said Nakajima.

 

“We would like to challenge the current situation with the lawsuit, which will also be helpful for a number of sexual minority people.”

 

Baumann currently resides in Japan on a student visa, she fears being deported home when that is over: “If I cannot find a job after graduating from the vocational school, I will have to return to Germany,” she said.

 

“For a foreign same-sex couple, whose national government allows same-sex couples to get married, one will be issued a specified visa for designated activities under the condition that their partner has already been residing in Japan and bringing them over,” Baumann added.

 

“A specified visa provides for more stability than a student visa. But it will not be issued for an international union of a Japanese and foreigner.

 

“This is unfair and discriminatory.”



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