The city of Tokyo will recognize same-sex unions in November after amending existing regulations, becoming the largest city to do so in Japan, local officials announced on Wednesday (May 11).
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Japan is the only G7 country that does not recognize same-sex unions and its Constitution states that “
marriage may only take place with the mutual consent of both sexes
”.
However, in recent years, local communities across the country have taken steps to recognize same-sex unions, although this recognition does not confer the same legal rights as marriage.
“
We have been collecting public opinion over the past two months and we have heard the opinions (of same-sex couples) who have said they want to be recognized as partners
,” a Tokyo government spokesman told AFP.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to ask the local assembly to approve an ordinance review next month, then start accepting applications in October and issue certificates in November.
“Partnership” certificates
The city plans to offer various services currently reserved for married couples to those who will have this partnership certificate, including access to accommodation managed by Tokyo, the spokesperson said.
In 2015, Shibuya Ward in the capital became the first in Japan to start issuing symbolic "
partnership
" certificates to same-sex couples.
Many other communities have followed suit, and according to associations more than 200 municipalities now recognize same-sex unions, granting couples rights such as the ability to visit their partner in hospital and rent property together.
Last year, a court in Sapporo (northern Japan) handed down a historic decision declaring that the non-recognition of same-sex marriage in Japan was unconstitutional, which was hailed as a major victory by associations.
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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, however, was cautious about the possibility of making legislative changes at the national level to recognize same-sex unions.
Power in Japan, dominated for more than half a century by the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), a conservative right-wing formation, has been holding back on the issue for years.
In Asia, only Taiwan has authorized marriage for all, since 2019.
