Love, hate, intolerance and equality mark this year’s Valentine’s Day in Asia as the occasion associated with romance and roses is being used to mark causes for gay rights and boost campaigns to stop the scourge of child marriages.

In Japan, 13 same-sex couples will go to court on Valentine's Day calling for the right to marry, in a bid to become the first Asian country to allow gay marriage.

The couples will file suits on Feb. 14 in at least four cities, including Tokyo, claiming the government is violating their constitutional rights to equal treatment, said one of their lawyers, Yoshie Yokoyama.

Japan's laws on LGBT+ rights are relatively liberal compared with many Asian countries, with homosexual sex legal since 1880. But being openly gay remains largely taboo and opponents say such unions could destroy society and family institutions.

In a push to change attitudes, one Japanese lesbian couple plan to stage wedding photos in 25 countries where same-sex marriage is legal.

Moves are also underway in Thailand to debate allowing civil partnerships, while Taiwan voters have rejected marriage equality in a referendum last year. Vietnam allows gay marriage ceremonies but couples do not enjoy the same legal protections as heterosexuals.

In India, Valentine’s Day is being used to put a spotlight on child marriages.

Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director said for millions of girls around the world, marriage is not a choice but an unwelcome end to their childhood and future.

“The solution is simple: Ban child marriage, invest in education and empower young people, families, and communities to bring about positive change. Only then will we end this devastating practice by 2030 and protect the 150 million girls at risk,” she said.

South Asia is home to the largest number of child brides with more than 40 percent of the global burden (285 million or 44 percent of the global total), followed by sub-Saharan Africa (115 million or 18 percent of the global total).

In Pakistan, the country remains a deeply traditional Muslim society where women struggle for their individual rights, and many disapprove of any efforts to allow Western culture to impinge on the country’s perceived Islamic national identity.

The University of Agriculture in Faisalabad (UAF), wants to promote “eastern culture and Islamic traditions among the youth” by rebranding Valentine’s Day as “Sisters’ Day”.

“We were forgetting our culture, and Western culture was taking root in our society,” a statement on the university’s website said.

“UAF was mulling a plan to distribute scarves, shawls and gowns printed with the UAF insignia among female students” on February 14, the statement on the website added.

Pakistan has also prohibited Valentine‘s celebrations in public spaces and government offices across the country, while last year the country‘s media regulator warned TV and radio stations against promoting the holiday.

In the Philippines, simply exchanging gifts isn’t enough on V-Day. Instead, hundreds of couples take part in mass wedding ceremonies on Valentine’s Day. The nuptials—which are sponsored by local government—help couples who can’t afford to get married themselves. The wedding cake, flowers, and even rings come as part of the package.

At the same time, Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte is continuing his attacks on the nation’s powerful Catholic church and called on the Vatican to allow priests to have boyfriends.

In a shocking speech given at a groundbreaking ceremony for a school near the capital Manila recently, Duterte claimed 'most priests are gay' as he doubled down on a previous claim that 'almost 90 percent' of the clergy are homosexuals.

Duterte's strong remarks are in response to the Catholic church's opposition to his government's ongoing war on drugs, which has left thousands dead.

In China, the western celebration of romantic union is taking on a new meaning with Beijing trying to tackle its aging population and reverse the legacy of its draconian one-child policy.

Registrations for marriage in China have declined annually since 2013; the number of divorces has climbed every year since 2006. A rising section of China’s middle class no longer see marriage as the only path to security and are choosing to forgo a traditional family life and prioritize careers. “Marriage and children are becoming less significant in young people’s lives,” says Professor Gu Baochang, a demographer at Beijing’s Renmin University.

China has 34 million more men than women, because of a preference for male heirs and a history of selective abortions. By 2020, China will have 24 million single men of marrying age unable to find wives.

Thailand plans to boost its tourism industry with its tradition of underwater weddings with three couples from China, Malaysia, and the Netherlands tying the knot underwater at Hin Kon Diew, near the Morakot cave in Kantang district.

Senior officials of the province involved in the registration, including the governor and national park chief, will don full gear and dive into the marine beauty spot to conduct the wedding ceremony for the couples.

In Indonesia, at least 10 cities across the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation have full or partial bans on Valentine's Day celebrations.

Aceh province, the only place in Indonesia that imposes Islamic law, s expected to issue a fresh Valentine's prohibition, citing religious norms. It has ordered bans in previous years.

Islamic clerics and some pious Muslims use the occasion to criticize what they see as Western decadence.

But many Indonesians practise a moderate form of Islam and celebrate Valentine's Day with cards, chocolates, and flowers for their loved ones.

A recent Picodi.com survey of 6,400 people in 38 countries found the most and least wanted gifts for both men and women.

The most desired gifts:

Valentine’s Day card (39 percent)

Electronic devices (34 percent)

Clothing (33 percent)

Sweets (22 percent)

Money (22 percent)

The least desired gifts:

Valentine’s Day card (24 percent)

Sex toys (23 percent)

Flowers (20 percent)

Stuffed toys (19 percent)

Underwear (16 percent)