Tokyo district OKs Japan’s first same-sex partner certificates

A Tokyo council voted on Tuesday to issue “partnership” certificates to gay couples, the first such recognition of same-sex unions in Japan.

 

Assembly members in Shibuya district — a business and shopping hub that is home to international firms and embassies — passed an ordinance that will allow their officials to start giving out the certificate as early as this summer.

 

“I’m happy,” said Koyuki Higashi, a gay rights campaigner who held a wedding ceremony with her female partner at Tokyo Disney Resort in 2013.

 

“I hope this movement will be spread across Japan and discussions on same-sex marriages will accelerate,” said Higashi, who has been living in Shibuya for four months, adding she and her partner, Hiroko Masuhara, planned to get a certificate.

 

Read More: Tokyo district OKs Japan’s first same-sex partner certificates – Business Insider