Tokyo's Adachi Ward on Thursday began certifying lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples and their children as families, a move that came in the wake of controversial remarks made by a local assemblyman disparaging the impact sexual minorities have on the community.
The initiative in the ward is rare in a nation that does not legally recognize marriage between members of the LGBT community. As of Thursday, 100 local governments in Japan issue certifications recognizing sexual minority couples but they have no legal basis.
The ward's decision came after assemblyman Masateru Shiraishi said in September the municipality would "cease to exist" if the rights of sexual minorities are protected by law, drawing public outcry.