TOKYO——Thirteen same-sex couples demanding marriage equality filed lawsuits against the government at district courts across Japan on Valentine's Day on Thursday arguing that its refusal to allow them to marry is unconstitutional and discriminatory.
本周四情人节这一天，13对要求婚姻平等的同性恋伴侣在日本多地的地方法院向政府提起诉讼，称政府拒让他们结婚违背了宪法，涉嫌歧视。
Each of the 26 plaintiffs is seeking 1 million yen in compensation claiming that the government's failure to recognize same-sex marriage has caused them emotional distress in what their lawyers say is the country's first lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of such negligence.
26位原告均要求每人100万日元的赔偿金额，声称政府不认可同性婚姻造成了他们的精神损失，原告的律师表示这是该国第一起挑战该过失（指不认可同性婚姻）合宪性的诉讼。
The damages suits were jointly filed by the couples who are in their 20s through their 50s and include Japanese and foreign partners at the district courts in Tokyo Nagoya Osaka and Sapporo.
这些损害诉讼由下至20多岁上至50多岁的同性恋伴侣们共同提出，其中有对日外同性伴侣，诉讼地有东京、名古屋、大阪和札幌等地的地方法院。
"We are starting a long fight to pursue marriage equality through the courts. We would like to fight with all the sexual minorities in the country and their allies" said Kenji Aiba a 40-year-old plaintiff in front of the Tokyo District Court.
在东京地方法院前，40岁的原告相场谦治（Kenji Aiba）如是说，“我们正通过法庭开始一场追求婚姻平等的长久斗争。我们愿同本国所有的性少数群体和其盟友们一道战斗。”
The 13 couples hope their complaint will lead to a change so that same-sex couples will be recognized by Japanese society and as their brief says "Have their difficulties resolved and their dignity restored."
这13对夫妇希望他们的这项起诉会推动一项变革，使得同性恋伴侣得到日本社会的认同，并且如其辩护律师所说，“使他们面临的困难能得以解决，重获尊严。”
The argument over marriage equality revolves around Article 24 of the Constitution which stipulates "Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes and it shall be maintained through mutual cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as a basis."
关于婚姻平等的争论围绕日本宪法第24条展开，该条规定，“婚姻应当仅在两性达成共识的基础上成立，依靠相互合作来维系，以丈夫和妻子享有平等的权利为基础。”
The plaintiffs' lawyers argue that the article's intent was to preserve gender equality and individual respect and it does not preclude marriage between same sexes.
原告的律师认为该条规定意旨维护性别平等和个体尊严，并非阻止同性之间的婚姻。
"Article 24 ensures that legal marriage only depends on the agreed-upon wish by individuals without intervention from the government or other third parties" their brief reads.
原告们的诉状上如是写道，“第24条确保合法的婚姻只建立在两个个体意愿一致之上，不受政府或其他第三方的干扰。”
Without marriage equality same-sex couples cannot inherit property without a will benefit from income tax deductions for spouses or have co-parental rights over their children.
没有婚姻平等，同性伴侣在没有遗嘱的情况下就不能继承财产，无法受益于配偶的所得税减免或对其子女不享有共同父母权利。
For international couples non-recognition adds another layer of complexity. Residency for foreign partners cannot be assured without a spousal visa says Kristina Baumann a 32-year-old German plaintiff who has been with Ai Nakajima 40 since 2011 and is in Japan on a student visa. They have already tied the knot in Germany.
对于跨国伴侣来说，不被承认另添一层复杂性。32岁的德国原告克里斯蒂娜·鲍曼（Kristina Baumann）表示，如果没有配偶签证，外国伴侣的居留权将无法得到保证。自2011年以来就与现40岁的中岛爱（Ai Nakajima）结为伴侣，她一直靠的学生签证待在日本。她们已经在德国结了婚。
"Our daily life is always surrounded by fear that something could happen" Baumann told Kyodo News after the couple had filed the lawsuit.
在这对伴侣提起诉讼后，鲍曼对日本共同通讯社如是说道，“我们的日常生活总是被一种坏事可能会发生的恐惧所包围。”
Same-sex marriage was first legalized in the Netherlands in 2001. It is currently recognized in more than two dozen nations and areas mostly in Europe the latest being Austria in January.
同性婚姻于2001年首次在荷兰合法化。目前在20多个国家和地区得到认可，主要是在欧洲地区，最新认可同性婚姻合法化的国家是奥地利，于今年1月份认可。
In Asia Taiwan is expected to become first in the region to recognize it in May.
亚洲地区，预计台湾在今年5月将成为该地区第一个认可同性婚姻合法化的地区。
"I really think this is an important step to go forward for Japanese society" said Baumann. "When it goes through Japan other countries may take steps forward."
鲍曼表示，“我真的认为这是向日本社会前进的重要一步，当它在日本通过时，其他国家可能会采取措施推进。”
"This is another milestone for Japanese history and also for LGBTQ in the world" added her partner Nakajima. She is ready to take the fight up to the Supreme Court. "Somebody has to take action" she said.
“这是日本历史和世界LGBTQ（性少数群体进程）的另一个里程碑，”其伴侣中岛爱补充道，她已做好在最高法院将战斗进行到底的准备，并表示“总得有人来采取行动。”
In Japan at least one in 11 people identify as lesbian gay bisexual or transgender according to a survey conducted last October by advertising giant Dentsu Inc. covering 60000 people aged between 20 and 59 nationwide.
根据日本广告巨头电通集团（Dentsu Inc.）去年10月进行的一项覆盖全国6万名年龄在20岁至59岁人口调查的结果显示，在日本，11个人中至少有1人是女同性恋、男同性恋、双性恋或跨性别者。
Discriminatory comments are still being made in the country against the LGBT community. Last year a lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party Mio Sugita faced criticism for saying in a magazine article that the government should not support sexual-minority couples because they cannot bear offspring and thus are not "productive."
该国对性少数群体的歧视性言论仍存在。去年，执政的自由民主党议员杉田美绪（Mio Sugita）在一篇杂志文章中称，政府不应该支持性少数伴侣，因为他们无法繁衍后代，因此不具“生产力”。
评论翻译
原创翻译：龙腾网 http://www.ltaaa.com 转载请注明出处
Bugle Boy of Company B
If this is about equal rights I’m happy to support some type of civil unx that allows gay couples the same rights as married couples.
But I don’t want to be called a marriage. That’s reserved for heterosexual couples.
如果是关于平等权利，我很乐意支持某种允许同性恋伴侣享有与异性恋伴侣相同权利的民事伴侣关系形式。但是我不想这被称之为“婚姻”，这是为异性恋夫妇保留的专属叫法。
Jimizo
[But I don’t want to be called a marriage.]
Why not? What difference does it make to your life?
【但是我不想这被称之为“婚姻”。】
为什么不能呢？这对你的生活会有什么影响哦？
Ascissor
[@Bugle Boy：But I don’t want to be called a marriage.]
Don't worry. No one's suggesting calling it marriage.
It's going to be called kekkon.
【@Bugle Boy：但是我不想这被称之为“婚姻”。】
别担心，没人建议将这称之为“婚姻”。这将被称为“けっこん（日语中的‘结婚’一词）”。
Saying only mixed-gender couples marriages are real marriages diminishes the committment the reality of the marriages of same-gender couples.
I'm curious as to how you define marriage. What sets it apart from say common-law marriages?
说只有异性婚姻才是真正的婚姻贬低了现实中同性婚姻的承诺。我很好奇你是如何定义婚姻的，它与普通法婚姻有何不同？
（译注：普通法婚姻是美国某些州认可的一种婚姻形式，它是指没有结婚的男女未进行结婚登记或遵行其它结婚程序而以夫妻名义、并以结婚为目的而公开同居生活一定时间，从而法律认定该婚姻关系合法的婚姻形式）
For me the main difference is the paperwork. When you marry you legally create new family connections. Those connections have legal implications. Only immediate family can do such and such. Visit in the ICU. Get a spouse visa. Inherit a shared home /inherit without paying taxes etc. (lots of variation by jurisdiction).
对我来说，主要的不同就只是法律文书而已。当你结婚了，法律上你就建立了新的家庭关系。这些关系具有法律效应。只有直系亲属才能有的权限，例如能去重症加强护理病房（ICU）探视、获得配偶签证、能继承共有房产/免税继承等（管辖权有很多变化）。
I think if you keep openly asking questions and people like gokai_wo_maneku continue to reply through dialogue your ideas might well continue to evolve as well. (I say continue because if you thought back to what your opinions were in 1989 I'm thinking you'll probably see there's already been some drift.
我认为如果你持续公开提问，像网友gokai_wo_maneku这样的人继续通过对话回答问题，你的想法可能也会持续改进的。（我说持续，是因为如果你回想下你在1989年时的想法，你也许会发现你的想法已经有所改变。）
gokai_wo_maneku
My partner and I have been together for 22 years (we met in junior high school). We'd really like to get married. I mean really married not just a "partnership". We've lasted longer than several of our straight friend couples.
我和我的伴侣已经在一起22年了（我们是在初中时候认识的）。我们真的很想结婚，我的意思是真正的结婚而不只是“合伙关系”。我们在一起的时间比我们很多对异性恋伴侣朋友还要久。
JJ Jetplane
When they say 1 in 11 that simply means the amount of people that actually responded out of the people they surveyed. This does not represent the actual number and there are still some people who are uncomfortable with coming out.
当他们说11个人中至少有1人是LGBTQ群体时，这一数据实际上只是说明了那些有回应调查的人占调查总人数的比例罢了，并不能代表真实的数据。仍有一些人不愿公然出柜。
I seriously can’t understand why so many are against same sex marriages. A loving family is a loving family. Doesn’t matter what differences or similarities there are. Also it makes sense economically. Also happy people are more motivated.
我真的不能理解为什么这么多人反对同性婚姻。一个有爱的家庭就是一个有爱的家庭，这与他们有多不同或多相似无关。而且这在经济上也是有意义的，快乐的人也更积极主动。
Yubaru
[The LGBT people are demanding “equal rights“. While I can support that I cannot support redefining words.]
Words are redefined in English ALL the time. Hell are you "gay?" Used to have a TOTALLY different meaning if you didnt know. How about "fag?" Could you spare one? I still run out of smokes every now and then and my fire needs relighting too!
【LGBT群体想要“平权”，这我支持，但是我不支持重新定义（相关）词。】
在英语中词一直都在被重新定义。如果你不知道的话，“你是‘gay’吗？”这句话以前表示的意思与现在完全不同，那么“fag”这个词呢？以前是指（现多指男同性恋者）：能借根烟吗？我老忘记买烟，顺便帮我点个火呗！
You are emotionally attached to a word. Nothing more nothing less. Get over the word and guess what?
You will be enlightened!
你只是对一个词有感情上的依赖，仅此而已。别再纠结这个词了，然后你猜会怎么着？你会开悟的！
Amir Marzouk
I love my partner but I believe all people should be allowed to suffer through marriage just like everyone else.
我爱我的伴侣，但我深信每个人都应像其他人一样享受下婚姻的痛苦折磨才是。
Jonorth
Good luck to these couples! I hope they'll be able to make a change and the government will realize that homosexual couples are just as deserving as any other.
Everybody is a right to pursue happiness as long as not harming other people. Why do people try to interfere and force their own belief on other people's life? It is just a start of hatred and violence. Ignorance causes fear fear causes hatred and hatred causes violence.
祝这些伴侣好运！希望他们能够制造一些改变，政府也会认识到同性夫妇和其他人一样有权享有这些权利。只要不伤到他人，每个人都有权利追求幸福。为什么人们要将自己的信仰强加在其他人身上呢。这只会引发仇恨和暴力。无知滋生恐惧，恐惧助长仇恨，而仇恨引燃暴力。
fishy
[In Japan at least one in 11 people identify as lesbian......nationwide]
One in 11 ???? Really?? (No judgement here but honestly surprised with the number).
【在日本，11个人中至少有1人是女同性恋......性别者】
1/11的比例？？？真的吗？？（不是在做评判，只是真的被这数字给吓到了。）
Bintaro
Good luck to them ! Whatever the result at least the debate will be inevitable.
祝他们好运吧！不管结局如何，至少这场辩论是不可避免的。
@fishy
I was surprised too but I checked :
The numbers differ from countries obviously but above 5% of the population seems common.
1 in 11 in Japan must be like 7-8% I guess so the number is pretty normal.
网友fishy，我也很惊讶于这一数据，但我后面查了下，不同的国家这一数据也不同，但明显普遍占超过5%的人口数。在日本，1/11应该差不多是7-8%，所以这个数据很正常。
Patricia Yarrow
I wish them every success. Marriage is for people in love and who want to commit to staying together before society. They should be recognized and fully brought into that society. After that it is not your business or mine. Very nice photo by the way. Quite like the double-O icon.
我祝他们能成功。婚姻是为那些相爱的两个人、是为那些想在社会见证下承诺会相守一生的人所准备的。他们（的关系）应当被承认，被社会所接受。在那之后，这事就与你我无关了不是。顺便说句，文章配图不错，很有 迈克尔·阿吉拉尔（double-O）的感觉。
The Avenger
To each his own.
萝卜青菜各有所爱啊。
Rolf Anderson
I support marriage equality which is why I do not support same-sex marriage since it has nothing to do with marriage ((one man (husband) one woman (wife) for one lifetime)) nor equality (the right of marriage is already shared by all citizens equally).
我支持婚姻平权，但我不支持同性婚姻，因为这（同性关系）)跟婚姻（指男人作为丈夫、女人作为妻子相守一生）无关，也谈不上什么平权不平权（公民已经享有平等的婚姻权利了）。
saiaku
Japan a country so associated with development and the latest tech sure are faaar behind on the human side of things. And it's the dumbest and simplest issues of all. Just legalize it. Literally nothing in your lives will be affected except some others may be more equal to you.
日本，一个现代科技如此发达的国家，在人性问题方面实在太太太落后了。在所有问题里面，这类（与人相关的）问题简直是最蠢最简单的了。赶紧合法化吧。说真的，这完全不会影响到你，只不过有些人能与你一样更平等而已。
Tokyo-Engr
Best of luck...win win situation.
I will take the pragmatic point of view. If 2 people commit to each other and helping each other during both good times and tough times it is less of a burden for society as a whole. If these people are happy it is better for society as a whole.
Don't see the downside of this...
Good luck folks!!!!
祝好运，这是好事啊…双赢。从实用主义的角度来看，如果两个人彼此承诺无论顺境逆境都能同在，那么对整个社会来说不是负担减少了点嘛。如果这些人幸福，对整个社会不是更好嘛。完全看不出这事有什么不好的地方.....祝你们好运呀！！！！
Bugle Boy of Company B
[I will take the pragmatic point of view.......Good luck folks!!!!]
Agree! Have a civil unx! Get tax breaks or whatever else married couples get!
【从实用主义的角度来看…祝你们好运呀！！！！】
双手赞同！支持婚姻平权！享有和异性已婚夫妇一样的减税和其他待遇！
Open Minded
Having their claim written in English clearly speaks that they have no hope from Japan and are seeking help from abroad.
用英文写的诉求，这完全表明他们根本不指望日本本国了，正在寻求国际社会的帮助。
mmwkdw
I don't see any issue with this type of Marriage in Japan - there's no Religious obxtion. Though it's going to cause one heck of a mess with the paperwork and ancient Computer systems when you try to register. Maybe that's the reason for the Governments dragging of feet over this matter ?
我看不出在日本合法化同性婚姻有什么问题——又不存在宗教方面的异议偏见。只是当你要登记结婚时，会给文案工作和老旧的计算机系统带来一大堆麻烦。或许这就是政府在这事上拖拖拉拉的原因吧？
Akie
Marriage is marriage as simple as that.
婚姻就是婚姻，管它是异性还是同性婚姻，就这么简单。
Jonathan Prin
I just don't want even a second to be thought I am gay since I got married with a defined word. Is that a good reason ?
我只是不想让别人知道我是同性恋，就因为我结婚的时候用了某个特定的词。这个理由行吗？
Belrick
For what it's worth marriage is a wonderful thing between two people. And that's regardless of sexual orientation. Government officials here are close minded and ignorant. God forbid two people should love each other regardless of sex! Obviously these officials don't know what love is! To deny people who love each other the right to marry is abhorrent. There should be no restrictions between consenting adults! Someday this pathetic old boy government will be gone and Japan can move forward from the dark ages!
不管怎么说，婚姻是发生在两个人之间的美事。它美好，无关性取向。日本政府官员思想保守，愚昧无知。连上帝都说两个人相爱不关乎性别！这些官员很显然不知道什么是爱！剥夺相爱之人结婚的权利简直令人深恶痛绝。合法年龄的成年人之间不应存在任何结婚限制。总有一天，这个可悲的陈腐政府会消失，日本将走出黑暗时代！
kazetsukai。
Another publicity event based upon idealized personal issues which disrupts the social and political environment in Japan. The use of the media and public sentiment to change a social and legal system may be effective in a narrow sense to satisfy personal needs and priorities but the total effect on a very closed and tradition oriented country where discreet and formal protocol is a social necessity can have results and effects that may not be beneficial for the future of people relationships within Japan.
又一个基于理想化私人问题而展开的，扰乱日本社会和政治环境的宣传活动。从狭义上讲，运用媒体、调动公众情绪来改变社会法律制度或许能有效满足个需和个人优先权。但是，对于一个非常封闭传统的国家来说，慎重正式的（关乎婚姻的）协议是一种社会需要，而改变这种制度可能会对日本未来的人际关系产生不利的影响。
It will certainly affect the legal issues currently in question as to "family responsibility" for "individual" action by a member of that group. (For example: The rail system still charges the family of a "suicide" victim for the cost and loss of revenue because of that act.)
毫无疑问，这会影响诸如因家庭成员“个人”的行为而要担负的“家庭责任”等法律问题。（比如：铁路系统仍会向“自杀”受害者的家庭收取因该自杀行为所造成的费用和收入损失。）
As in any country personal issues expressed politically and in an attempt to change the legal system in place can have major side effects. It is not like a Temple willing to "marry" such gay couples.
与其他任何国家一样，用政治手段发表私人问题并试图改变现行法律制度都会产生严重的负面影响。这与那些愿意给同性恋伴侣“主持作证婚姻关系”的寺庙可不一样。
Toasted Heretic
Homosexuality is entirely natural. And marriage is about two people who love each other getting hitched.
If you're against it; fine. Just don't take out your irrational fears on people seeking equality.
同性恋是完全正常的。婚姻就是相爱的两人结婚。如果你反对同性恋，可以。只是不要把你无端的恐惧施加在那些寻求婚姻平权的人身上。
[If you want to be the same as a normal couple do the same thing.]
Gay people are normal. And that's why they're getting married.
【如果你想和正常夫妇一样，那就跟他们做同样的事情。】
同性恋者是正常的公民。这也是为什么越来越多同性恋者选择结婚的原因。
iradickle
Im still not sure why people are still fighting for Gay Marriage. If love is what matters why are they fighting so hard for a legal contract? For me marriage is only important if you're going to start a family. Other than that your just changing names. Have a ceremony buy rings and love each other. What are they really wanting to get out of this?
我仍不晓得人们为何要争求合法化同性婚姻。如果爱是最重要的，那么他们为何为了一纸法律协议而如此奋力抗争？于我而言，婚姻关系只有在你欲组建家庭时才尤为重要。除此之外，你不过是改随另一半的姓氏而已。办一场婚礼仪式，买个婚戒，彼此相爱就行了。他们借此究竟想要获得是什么呢？
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