Tokyo’s same-sex partnership system came into effect Tuesday, allowing sexual minority couples in the capital to be treated in the same manner as married heterosexual couples in areas such as housing, health care and child-rearing.
However, same-sex marriage is prohibited nationwide, meaning various other legal protections only afforded to heterosexual married couples remain unavailable.
Still, the Tokyo Partnership Oath System, despite its limitations, has been lauded by many in the LGBTQ community as a step toward achieving equal rights for sexual minorities in Japan.