TOKYO -- The Tokyo District Court ruled on Wednesday that Japan's lack of legal recognition for marriage equality presents the country with an "unconstitutional situation," a step forward for the LGBT+ community as the nation remains the only Group of Seven member that does not permit same-sex unions.

The decision was Japan's third on marriage equality. The Sapporo District Court ruled in March last year that not recognizing same-sex marriage violates Article 14 of the Constitution, which ensures the right to equality, while the Osaka District Court said in June that it is "constitutional" for Japan to not permit such unions.