A high court in Japan on Thursday said the country's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, ruling on a matter that has divided lower levels of the judiciary and put the conservative government at odds with shifting public opinion. Japan is the only member of the Group of Seven industrialized nations that doesn't offer legal protection for same-sex unions. Although polls show 70% public support for same-sex unions, they are opposed by the Liberal Democratic Party of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. "Enacting same-sex marriage does not seem to cause disadvantages or harmful effects," the court said. The government will eye other upcoming court decisions, its top spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, told a briefing.

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Persons: Fumio Kishida, Eri Nakaya, Fumiyasu Tsunamori, Yoshimasa Hayashi Organizations: Valentine's, Rights, Liberal Democratic Party of Prime Locations: Shinagawa, Japan, Tokyo, Sapporo