Tokyo grants certificates to same-sex couples

Tokyo's capital began issuing certificates recognizing same-sex couples on Tuesday. Seven years after Tokyo's Shibuya district first introduced same-sex partnership recognition in 2015, more than 200 smaller towns have joined the move, accounting for less than one-fifth of Japanese municipalities.

The certificates are not legally binding but allow same-sex partners to apply for public housing like married couples and give them access to medical and criminal data that was only available to family.

Fumino Sugiyama, a transgender activist, said the certificates recognize the presence of sexual minorities and the need to recognize their rights. The government said it received 137 applications as of last Friday. Applicants are limited to adult residents of the capital, including foreign nationals.