A system to register same-sex partnerships yesterday opened for applications in Tokyo, in a symbolic step forward for a country that has fallen behind its peers on embracing diversity.
The system does not offer the legal benefits of marriage for same-sex couples, but has been welcomed by LGBTQ rights groups as a small step forward. Japan is the only G7 major democracy not to allow either same-sex marriage or civil unions, despite polls showing that the public is largely in favor of the change.
“The introduction of the system in Tokyo is extremely positive, but partnership is not enough. We basically want legal marriage,” said Soshi Matsuoka, the head of Fair, an LGBT rights organization in Tokyo.
Photo: EPA-EFE
With its own population aging and rapidly shrinking, the lack of such provisions could damage Japan’s ability to compete for talent against the dozens of countries that have legalized marriage equality, industry bodies have said.
Nonetheless, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, leader of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party, has urged caution on the issue.
The system is open to couples if at least one partner lives, works or studies in Tokyo, and if both are at least 18 and are not already married or in a partnership. Applications are to be made online, and certification is to be available from Nov. 1, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Web site says.
While local government partnership certification systems have already been introduced by dozens of municipalities, Tokyo accounts for more than 10 percent of Japan’s 125 million population, and its policies have a bigger effect.
Hiroshi Ikeda, a campaigner with Marriage For All Japan, said the partnership recognition system is a lever to press the central government to progress.
Same-sex couples often face exclusion from medical decisionmaking, difficulty in renting accommodation and lack inheritance rights.
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