The number of Japanese municipalities recognizing same-sex relationships have doubled.
In the first five months of 2019 alone, the number of local governments with a ‘partnership system’ has grown from 9 to 22, according to the Tokyo Review. This allows people in same-sex relationships to gain access to relationship-based privileges and rights.
This includes the right to move into public housing facilities as a couple, hospital visitation rights, the right to make medical decisions for the partner, and special benefits given by employers.
The majority of these partnership systems were adopted in the form of an ‘administrative guideline’. These can be issued by individual mayors and don’t need the approval of the local assembly.
The recognition, however, is symbolic. Meaning access to these rights and privileges can be denied to same-sex couples with no legal recourse. They are not the same as marriage or civil partnership.
The recognition, however, is symbolic. Meaning access to these rights and privileges can be denied to same-sex couples with no legal recourse. They are not the same as marriage or civil partnership.
Shibuya Ward and Toshima Ward both enacted ordinances, which means they were voted through by the local government.
Sapporo became the first city in the country to recognize same-sex relationships in 2017.
The national government has made no effort to create a nation-wide ‘partnership system’, or legalization of same-sex marriage.
Nijiiro Diversity stated around 426 couples acquired a partnership document as of 17 April.
【データ共有】地方自治体の同性パートナー認知は、20自治体・426組になりました。〈2019年4月17日 虹色ダイバーシティ調べ〉 pic.twitter.com/BmHioTHiK4
— 虹色ダイバーシティ (@nijidiversity) April 17, 2019
There are several criticism levied at the partnership system. One is that private companies are not obligated to recognize the partnerships. Also, the partnerships are only recognized in the local municipality and not in the rest of the country.
They also demand both people in the couple live in the municipality before they are issued. This presents an issue for couples planning to live together in public housing.
See also
https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/are-isolated-lgbti-japanese-finally-about-to-step-out-of-the-closet/#gs.a7vkdb
https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/sex-robot-japan-bisexual-threesomes/#gs.a7vlf6
https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/tokyo-pride-parade-events/#gs.a7vl0u