Tokyo Issues Certificates Of Recognition For Same-Sex Couples
In many prefectures and regions of Japan, same-sex union is not publicly recognised as valid. Tokyo began issuing Same-Sex Partnership certificates on Tuesday, November 1 to citizens in Japan’s capital marking a significant hurdle for LGBTQIA+ advocates, reports TIME.
JAPAN IS SLOWLY CHANGING ATTITUDES
The partnership certificates are not to be mistaken for a license for same-sex marriage, rather they function like same-sex de facto partnerships. This means same-sex couples are afforded rights and resources that were previously only available to married heterosexual couples, reports TIME.
Under this Tokyo Partnership Oath System, gay couples will be able to access welfare programs, apply for housing as a partnership, offer next of kin powers and allow one half of the couple to collect the other’s life insurance policy.
These rights are not small concessions and many LGBTQIA+ activists in Japan see this as a win. Despite this coming as welcome news, the partnership certificates are not legally binding for the private sector and are subject to be disregarded if the couple move from Tokyo.
According to TIME, Soyoka Yamamoto, a representative for Partnership Act for Tokyo, believes that these certificates will help make way for further LGBTQIA+ advancements. “We always have to explain our relationship to get services,” says Yamamoto. “But now it will be easier. We don’t have to convince anybody that we’re a couple.”
With 60% of Japan’s population residing in Tokyo’s region, the majority of the country will have access to the new system of certificates. Despite this, many still feel it is a small concession for the government to make and avoids the matter of true equality.
