Another breakthrough in Japan worthy of recognition goes to Shibuya Ward in Tokyo. On Thursday, it has started issuing "partnership" certificates to same-sex couples, as the country is slowly taking small steps favoring greater tolerance for sexual minority groups.
Hiroko Masuhara, 37, and Koyuki Higashi, 30, registered their "partnership" with the ward, a major district in Tokyo which is home to embassies, international businesses and trendy fashion houses.
Higashi, a stage actress by profession stood in front of the ward office in the middle of a media frenzy and expressed her happiness saying that is a first step, and she hopes that what happened will spread across Japan. The certificates issued are not legally binding and bear only symbolic significance since the Japanese constitution still identifies marriage as the joining of two individual based on mutual consent of the parties from both sexes.
The official recognition of the same-sex unions is intended at encouraging hospitals and landlords to allow the certificate to try to make sure that couples receive similar treatment to those people who are legally married. The mayor of nearby Setagaya district announced that his ward would also start giving out similar certificates later Thursday.
While Japan is largely unbiased on homosexuality, there is no particular legal protection for gay people, who voiced their concerns saying they fear that they may be prevented from visiting loved ones in hospitals, or may be denied tenancy because their relationship is not regarded as "normal" based on the social norms.
Heterosexual couples and same-sex couples are pretty much the same. It is so sad to think that there are many things that cannot be done and cannot be recognized because heterosexual couples out number gay couples," Higashi said. She added saying she hopes the day will come when there will be equality in society soon.
