Rabat – Tokyo’s metropolitan government began issuing partnership certificates for same-sex couples on Tuesday, allowing LGBTQ+ partners to have access to some of the public services as married heterosexual couples, including housing, health, and welfare.
The “Tokyo Partnership Oath System” does not grant same-sex couples the same benefits as married couples, but is considered to be revolutionary in a country that does not recognize same-sex marriages. Articles 731 to 737 of Japan’s Civil Code limit marriage to heterosexual couples.
In addition to same-sex couples, the new system “applies to transgender and non-binary individuals … but is not legally binding,” Nikkei Asia reported.
Tokyo began accepting applications starting Friday, October 14, whereby concerned couples must register online and provide proof that they are above 18 years old, not legally married to someone else, and are not blood-related, the news outlet indicated.
The partnership certificates would not be used in cases of adoption, inheritance, and spousal visas, the BBC has reported.
Tatsushi Omichi, head of project coordination in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s human rights department, said that the new system is part of Tokyo’s bid to become an “inclusive city” where “everyone can be themselves and understand each other,” Nikkei Asia added.
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The news outlet highlighted the “discrimination” that LGBTQ+ couples face in certain situations, such as house hunting, explaining that “landlords and real estate agents often question their client’s relationships.” Nikkei Asia noted that ”although not legally binding, the partnership certification should make communication smoother.”
While recent poll results suggested that the majority of Japanese people support legalizing same-sex marriage, a percentage of citizens still expressed their opposition to the move.
A survey by the country’s public broadcaster NHK revealed that 57% of Japanese citizens were in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, whereas 37% were against it.
