Conservative lawmakers of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party have reacted angrily to the Sapporo High Court’s ruling that the lack of legal provisions for same-sex marriage in Japan is unconstitutional.

One former Cabinet member said the March 14 court decision itself is “unconstitutional.”

“(Same-sex marriage) would totally reshape the family system and change the core of Japan,” the politician said. “I will remain opposed to it even if I were to become the last one to do so.”

The court ruled the absence of same-sex marriage provisions, including in the Civil Law, violates the first paragraph of Article 24 in the Constitution, which defines freedom of marriage.

The high court’s presiding judge also took the unusual step of making an additional remark that calls for prompt response measures.