The complicated ruling from a court in Fukuoka comes after four other courts reached differing conclusions, and ahead of a parliamentary debate on the subject

A court in Japan has ruled that the country’s ban on same-sex marriage is “in a state of unconstitutionality” but fell short of stating it was unconstitutional – a decision that has clouded the debate over LGBTQ+ rights.

Thursday’s ruling by the Fukuoka district court echoed a 2022 decision by a court in Tokyo and is the fifth and final ruling awaited in Japan’s district court system.