Ten Years Together But Not in Law
There are binational (Japanese-non Japanese) same-sex couples living in Japan who have been married overseas. They are facing many challenges because the country has yet to recognize same-sex marriage, denying them rights and benefits guaranteed to their heterosexual counterparts as a matter of course. We report on the reality of two such couples living in anxiety. (This program was broadcast on March 9, 2022.)
Sakata Machi (right) and Theresa Stieger (left) have been living together in Japan for over 10 years.
For over a year, Komori Shunsuke (left) and his husband Danny Taing (right) have been living apart due to restrictions on entry into Japan.
Lawyer Nagano Yasushi says the challenges facing binational same-sex couples in Japan have been given little to no attention.