- Title: JAPAN-SAME SEX/PARTNERSHIP Tokyo district recognizes same-sex partnerships
- Date: 31st March 2015
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (MARCH 31, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CROSSING ROAD AT SHIBUYA CROSSING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 53-YEARS-OLD OFFICE WORKER, KINGO TAKESHITA, SAYING: "I think these laws should spread more. There is research that many LGBT commit suicide before living a full life. These people shouldn't have to die because of these concerns. So it would be good that this
- Embargoed: 15th April 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVADQ6SJUWUGPTK59CED0SKBSZK6
- Story Text: A district assembly in Tokyo became the first in Japan on Tuesday (March 31) to recognise same-sex partnerships, a major step forward for same-sex couples in a country where being openly gay remains taboo.
The vote by Tokyo's Shibuya ward may seem insignificant compared to the United States, where gay marriage is legal in all but 13 states, but just proposing the statute set off an unprecedented discussion over equality, and is likely to pave the way for similar measures elsewhere in Japan.
The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has been all but invisible in Japan, and legally binding civil unions are still a distant dream, with same-sex partners often unable to rent apartments.
Cheers erupted from a crowd gathered outside the Shibuya city hall after the measure passed by a hefty majority, and activists held up a rainbow banner saying "Thank you Shibuya."
"It's not that we want to achieve something big, all we want is to be able to live with the people we love," said transgender activist Fumino Sugiyama. "And we hope that one day this will not be such a big deal. That is why we are raising our voices now," he added.
Under the new statute, which takes effect on April 1, Shibuya - one of Tokyo's 23 wards and home to a trendy youth district as well as many embassies - will issue paperwork recognising same-sex partnerships, based on a number of conditions. This recognition should allow couples to rent apartments and visit each other in hospital.
"We want inequalities to disappear and if ever same-sex marriage is allowed in Japan, we will want to get married immediately," added Koyuki Higashi, a lesbian activist who came with her long term partner Hiroko Masuhara.
Debate flared on social media as soon as the bill was proposed, with younger people generally in favour. Asked about it in parliament, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said they needed to be "very careful" when considering whether or not to make changes in the constitution to recognise same-sex marriage.
"The current constitution does not envisage marriage between same-sex couples. For that to happen, we need to be very careful when considering whether or not to change the constitution to accept same-sex marriage as this issue touches upon the fundamentals of how we live," he told parliament earlier this year.
Some within the LGBT community have also been wary of the statute, saying that it was being used politically to burnish Tokyo's image overseas, but most hailed it. Two other Tokyo wards and the city of Yokohama are considering similar steps.
But people on the streets of Shibuya were mostly welcoming of the measure.
"I think these laws should spread more. There is research that many LGBT commit suicide before living a full life. These people shouldn't have to die because of these concerns. So it would be good that this spreads and these law are recognised," Kingo Takeshita, 53, who had taken a day off work to shop in the area and view some cherry blossoms.
However even some young people say that prejudice against those in the LGBT community in Japan is not far from the surface.
"People may say 'hey, no problem', 'They're just being individualistic' but if they find themselves amongst LGBT these same people would say 'that's gross' and many still feel very much like that," said college student Akaya Ino, 19, who said she was happy for the LGBT community and said it would help raise awareness. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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