Love wins, one city office at a time.
Starting today, Takarazuka in Hyogo Prefecture, home of the cross-dressing all-female theater troupe Takarazuka Revue, has begun issuing official partnership certificates for same-sex couples. It is the fourth city in the nation to do so after Shibuya, Setagaya and Iga, Mie Prefecture.
Although the Japanese constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman, the city has gotten around this by drafting its own partnership oath. Once a couple submits the document, they receive a certificate signed by the mayor and become eligible for public services for married couples.
When the decision was announced last year, Mayor Tomoko Nakagawa said that the job of local government was to create a society that all citizens felt comfortable in. He added, “This is a step forward to encourage the drive for recognizing same-sex marriages across Japan and ultimately push the Diet to start discussions on the issue.”
While Takurazaka does not compel private businesses to recognize the certificate as Shibuya does, several major companies, such as Panasonic and SoftBank, have already announced that they will do so.
In other good news, the city of Naha in Okinawa is expected to begin recognizing same-sex partnerships in July.
Source: Asahi Shimbun
Image: Wiki Commons
Okinawa’s capital city Naha officially recognizes same-sex partnerships
Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward to begin legally recognizing same-sex partnerships
Same-sex couples to be recognized in Sapporo, Japanese city with population of around two million
Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward to offer marriage certificates to same-sex couples
Two Tokyo wards issue Japan’s first ever same-sex partnership certificates
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Almost all Japanese women say they dislike random gacha/blind-box toys in survey
Pokémon’s Ash Ketchum is crazy strong, can easily carry creatures twice his body weight
Hana Komon: Japan’s beautiful, samurai-style floral birthday crests
Japan’s Top 10 Scenic Train Trips–according to two “densha otaku” train guides
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Same-sex couples take Japanese government to court, request constitutional marriage rights
Japanese cell phone provider gives same-sex couples with Partnership Certificates family discount
Panasonic to recognize same-sex marriages of its employees starting this April
Japan releases results of its first national same-sex marriage survey
Nintendo Japan officially provides spousal benefits to same-sex partnerships
Kirin beer company toasts same-sex marriages for its employees
Japan awards foster parent status to same-sex couple for first time
Judge rules Japanese government rejecting same-sex marriage applications is unconstitutional
Japanese gay community at the centre of new “Tokyo Neighbors” web series 【Video】