Over 30% of the 146 local governments in Japan that have introduced a same-sex partnership system as of Jan. 1 have also signed reciprocal agreements with other municipalities to simplify reapplication procedures when LGBTQ couples move, according to a Kyodo News survey.
The move comes amid criticism that the need for such couples to dissolve their partnerships and reapply each time they move causes emotional stress.
Cross-municipality cooperation has accelerated since the cities of Fukuoka and Kumamoto signed such an agreement in October 2019.