A Japanese high court has ruled that the lack of legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Japan is unconstitutional.

The district court’s Presiding Judge Tomoyuki Tobisawa who made the ruling this Thursday said the lack of legal arrangements similar to heterosexual marriages for same-sex couples is a deprivation of a key part of their personal identity

This ruling comes as eight plaintiffs, consisting of company employees and public servants in their 40s and 50s living in Tokyo, sought 1 million yen (approximately 10 million naira) each from the central government, claiming that legislative inaction on the matter has violated their rights and caused them emotional distress.

However, the Court rejected the plaintiffs’ claim for damages saying although the stance of the law is unconstitutional, there is room and time to make the needed adjustments.