Kyoto has become the latest Japanese city to bring in a ‘partnership system’ that recognises same-sex couples. The ‘partnership system’ in Japan stops short of allowing same-sex marriage, but affords same-sex couples certain benefits given to married couples, like moving into public housing as a couple, hospital visitation rights and even certain employment benefits.
The system was introduced in a small ceremony on Tuesday (1 September), and the Mainichi Times reports that the city is the first in the Kyoto Prefecture to introduce the measures.
In the small ceremony that was held, Kyoto mayor, Daisaku Kadokawa issued the certificates to five same-sex couples. Some of the couples present said: “Finally our existence has been recognised” with