Tokyo Starts a Partnership Certificate Program for Same-Sex Couples

Tokyo has started implementing a partnership certificate program for same-sex couples, which falls short of marriage equality but does allow them to be considered as married couples for some public services for the first time. Some people believe that this could be the first step in Japan as a whole accepting equality. Additionally, it is now the only developed nation in the G7 group to not recognize same-sex unions. Recent research, however, indicates that the majority of Japanese are in favor of gay marriage. NHK, the state broadcaster in Japan, ran a study in 2021, finding that 57% of respondents were in favor and 37% were opposed. However, despite this broad support, an Osaka district court earlier this year declared the current prohibition on same-sex marriage was constitutional. Noboru Watanabe, a local politician for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, later referred to same-sex unions as "disgusting" in October. The remarks drew a lot of backlashes. But there are steps being taken to increase equality. According to the Asahi Sinbun news site, the program being implemented in the Tokyo metropolitan area was first started in one of its districts back in 2015 and has since expanded to nine more wards and six cities in the western part of the metro area. In addition, the 14 million residents of the city will be covered by the new metropolitan-wide program. More details The partnership certificates, which have already been implemented in eight other prefectures around Japan, will enable same-sex couples to receive the same housing, healthcare, and welfare benefits as married couples. However, it won't be of use with matters like adoption, inheritance, or spousal visas. Furthermore, anyone over the age of 18 who resides or works in Tokyo is eligible to apply. And as of Friday, 137 applications have been made. On another note, the certification eases the anxieties of couples like Miki and Katie. According to Miki, "My biggest fear has been that we would be treated as strangers in an emergency." LGBT rights activist Soyoka Yamamoto told reporters that she really hoped "we can accelerate efforts to create a society where the rights of sexual minorities can be protected, and made more equal." She was among the first to receive her certificate on Tuesday.