The status does not have the same rights as marriage, but allows LGBTQ partners to be treated as married couples for certain public services in areas such as housing, health and welfare. More than 200 smaller local authorities in Japan have already made moves to recognize same-sex partnerships since Tokyo’s Shibuya district pioneered the system in 2015. As of Friday last week, 137 couples had applied for a certificate, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said. Hopes are high among advocates that the introduction of same-sex cohabitation certificates, which cover both Tokyo residents and commuters, will help combat anti-LGBTQ discrimination in Japan. Miki and Kaiti are among those who had no official proof of their relationship. “My biggest fear was that we would be treated as foreigners in an emergency,” Miki told AFP. Without a certificate of partnership, the couple, who asked to be referred to by their first names, used to put a note in their wallet with each other’s contact information. “But these were trivial and we thought official documents authenticated by the local government would be more effective,” Miki said. Miki and Kaiti, who for a long time had no official proof of their relationship, welcomed the certificates of cooperation. Photo: Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP/Getty Images “The more people use these collaboration systems, the more our community will feel encouraged to tell family and friends about their relationships, without hiding their true selves.” In recent years, Japan has taken small steps to embrace sexual diversity. More companies are now declaring their support for same-sex marriage and gay characters are appearing on TV shows. A 2021 survey by public broadcaster NHK found that 57% of the public were in favor of same-sex marriage, compared to 37% against. But hurdles remain, with an Osaka court ruling in June that the country’s failure to recognize same-sex unions was constitutional. It marked a setback for campaigners in the wake of last year’s landmark verdict by a Sapporo court, which said the current situation violated Japan’s constitutionally enshrined right to equality. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was cautious about legislative changes that would recognize same-sex relationships nationwide. “Some politicians have made very negative comments, like we’re mentally ill,” Katie told AFP. “But families don’t always consist of a mother, a father and two children. We need to be more flexible,” he said. The right to inherit in the event of a partner’s death is still not guaranteed, and Katie’s lack of spousal visa status makes her ability to stay in Japan less stable. “I feel that the Japanese people’s level of understanding of same-sex marriage is now quite high,” Miki said. “All that’s left is for policymakers to take it seriously and make changes.”
