Posted inQuestion about Japan
Can cousins get married in Japan?
Cousin marriage is legal in Japan, according to the Japanese Civil Code, although Article 735 states that if there is a risk of hereditary diseases, the couple cannot marry without receiving permission from the family court. While historically cousin marriages were common among the nobility, in contemporary Japan it is not as accepted as it once was, but it is not entirely taboo either. The potential for genetic disorders in offspring is a concern with cousin marriages, but the risk can be mitigated through genetic counseling and testing. Attitudes towards cousin marriage may continue to evolve alongside broader societal changes.