Same-Sex Couple in Japan Fights for Daughter’s Citizenship Amid Legal Limbo

Tokyo, Japan — A Japanese-American same-sex couple is taking the Japanese government to court after their daughter, born through assisted reproduction in the United States, was denied Japanese citizenship, rendering the child effectively stateless in her parents’ home country. The case exposes glaring gaps in Japan’s family registration system and its failure to keep pace with modern family structures.

The couple, comprising a Japanese national and her American wife, conceived their daughter through IVF and sperm donation in the U.S., where their parental rights were legally recognized. However, upon returning to Japan, they encountered a legal system that refuses to acknowledge same-sex parents. Under Japan’s Nationality Act, citizenship is automatically granted only when the mother is Japanese in heterosexual relationships, or when the Japanese father is married to the mother – provisions that completely exclude same-sex couples.

This legal loophole has created an impossible situation for the family. The Japanese partner cannot be recognized as a legal parent, leaving their daughter without citizenship. Compounding the problem, U.S. regulations on assisted reproduction abroad prevent the child from obtaining American citizenship through her birth mother. As a result, the young girl faces severe limitations in her daily life: she cannot access Japan’s public healthcare system, faces barriers to school enrollment without special visas, and cannot obtain a passport for international travel.

The couple’s lawsuit argues that Japan’s current laws violate constitutional guarantees of equality and family rights. Their case highlights Japan’s troubling lag in LGBTQ+ rights compared to other developed nations. While polls show over 70% of Japanese citizens support same-sex marriage, Japan remains the only G7 country without legal recognition. Some municipalities offer partnership certificates, but these provide no substantive legal protections at the national level.

Legal experts point to a 2023 Sapporo court ruling that declared Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, yet no policy changes have followed. The current case could force the issue, especially with Tokyo set to host WorldPride in 2025, putting Japan’s human rights record under international scrutiny.

“Our daughter is Japanese in every way that matters,” the couple stated. “She was born from our love and should have the same rights as any other child. Japan must change.”

The case has broader implications as assisted reproduction becomes more common globally. Without legal reforms, Japan risks creating generations of stateless children born to international same-sex couples. Potential solutions include amending the Nationality Act to recognize non-biological parents, legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, or creating special visa categories for stateless children of Japanese residents.

This legal battle represents more than paperwork – it’s a fight for fundamental human dignity and Japan’s identity as an inclusive society. As the case progresses, it may force Japan to confront its outdated laws and join other modern democracies in recognizing diverse family structures.