 As a result, articles 731 to 737 of the Japanese Civil Code limit marriage to different-sex couples.Same-sex couples are not able to marry, and same-sex couples are not granted rights derived from marriage.Also, same-sex marriages performed abroad are not legally recognized in Japan and bi-national same-sex couples cannot obtain a visa for the foreign partner based on their relationship, though the Ministry of Justice does have a general rule of giving the discretionary "designated activities" visa to same-sex married spouses.