A Japanese city has registered a same-s*x couple as partners under the same address, a significant and unusual step in a country that does not recognise marriage equality.
Keita Matsuura, 38, explained to AFP that, despite living together, he and his partner Yutaro Fujiyama were previously listed separately by local authorities.
However, upon moving to Omura in the Nagasaki region, they requested to be registered together, similar to a married couple. This move has been hailed by the couple as “groundbreaking.”
Initially, the city offered to register Mr Fujiyama as Mr Matsuura’s relative, but after discussions, they agreed in May to register him like a husband, Mr Matsuura said on May 28.
Japan is the only G-7 nation that does not recognise same-s*x unions, and local media said the move was unprecedented.
Although the registration is not the same as legal marriage, Mr Matsuura said he was “surprised and very happy”.
“I think it’s a groundbreaking decision – a step further than the non-legally-binding partnership system under which municipalities issue certificates to gay couples,” Mr. Matsuura said.
“I hope this will bring more practical benefits to same-s*x couples and be a step towards legalizing same-s*x marriage.”
Taiwan is currently the only place in Asia with marriage equality, and in 2024, Thailand moved a step closer to legalizing same-s*x unions.
In Japan, opinion polls show growing support for LGBTQ-friendly laws, especially among younger people.
However, the ruling conservative party has been reluctant to advance these reforms.
Dozens of major municipalities, including Tokyo, now offer partnership certificates that allow same-s*x couples to be treated as married in certain areas such as housing, medicine, and welfare.
Many large Japanese businesses also offer the same family benefits to LGBTQ and heterosexual employees.
However, a series of recent court cases on the constitutionality of same-s*x marriage in Japan have produced divided rulings.
Japan’s 1947 Constitution says marriage requires “the mutual consent of both sexes”, but it also states that all people “are equal under the law”.
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