Overview:

In 2024, three High Courts in Japan came to agreement and ruled Japan's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. These landmark decisions constitute a pivotal moment in Japan's ongoing journey toward marriage equality and broader LGBTQ+ rights. Although Japan does not criminalize homosexuality and allows same-sex couples to love freely, its refusal to legally recognize same-sex marriages raises pressing issues and concerns. These include parental rights, hospital visitation, and residency for foreign partners—critical areas of inequality and alienation of same-sex couples in Japan.

Join us on February 10 to discuss Japan’s legal and social battles for same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ equality. Explore whether the nation is truly on the verge of achieving full(er) equality, and what challenges remain on this complicated path forward.

Speakers:

Makiko Terahara is the representative director of “Marriage For All Japan” (2019-), co-representative of Tokyo litigation attorney for marriage equality (2019-), co-representative of Tokyo Omotesando Law and Accounting LPC (2010-), in-house lawyer of Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd. (2008-2010), qualified as attorney in New York (2008), graduated from LL.M of New York University (2007), associate of domestic law firms (2000-2005), qualified as attorney in Japan (2000), graduated from Tokyo University (1997). She has devoted herself to the protection of women’s and sexual minorities’ human rights on a pro bono basis. 

https://www.marriageforall.jp/en/marriage-equality/

Alexander Dmitrenko is the Office Managing Partner of Ashurst Tokyo office focusing on compliance issues (sanctions, anti-bribery-corruption, cyber, ESG), investigations and dispute resolution matters. He is a Co-Chair and one of the co-founders of LLAN, Lawyers for LGBTQ & Allies Network. LLAN is a prominent Japanese NPO with the mission of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. LLAN has been particularly instrumental in assembling corporate support for marriage equality, which has been recognized by recent court cases in Japan supporting marriage equality. Alexander began his legal career in Toronto and NYC, working for major international law firm and on the Ontario same-sex marriage case over 20 years ago. Alexander is qualified to practice law in New York State and England & Wales and is gaiben in Japan. He is also the Chair of the Asia Advisory Committee of Temple Law School’s Center for Compliance and Ethics, and Friendship Hometown Ambassador for the beautiful island of Hachijojima.

Alexander Dmitrenko (ashurst.com)

Moderator: 

Robert Dujarric, Co-director of the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies (ICAS) at Temple University, Japan Campus 

Robert Dujarric | Temple University, Japan Campus