When Tokyo's Shibuya Ward announced in March that it would start issuing same-sex marriage certificates to gay and lesbian couples, much of Japan — and in particular, its LGBT community — stood up and took notice.

The international media, too, has doggedly covered the story, often using it as a starting point before going on to examine the numerous obstacles the lesbian and gay communities still face in Japan.

After all, although Shibuya Ward's certificates will guarantee couples certain rights within the ward itself, the marriages will not be legally valid nationally, and the ward has no power to force businesses to recognize the couples' same-sex partnerships.