Ibaraki Pref. to Recognize Same-Sex Couples as Partners

June 24, 2019

Mito, Ibaraki Pref.- Ibaraki Prefecture will launch a new scheme on July 1 to treat same-sex couples in the same manner as married ones, Kazuhiko Oigawa, governor of the eastern Japan prefecture, said Monday.

Ibaraki will be the first prefecture in Japan to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, couples as partners, according to the prefecture. A similar scheme is already in place in 22 municipalities across the country.

Under Ibaraki's scheme, the prefecture will issue domestic partnership certificates to same-sex couples living together in the prefecture upon application. Applicants have to meet certain conditions, such as being adult and unmarried.

Certified same-sex couples will be treated in a manner similar to family units when they apply to move into prefecture-run housing or seek medical treatment at a prefectural hospital.

In addition, the prefecture is set to review gender categories on a variety of documents and establish a consultation service on LGBT issues. It will also conduct a survey on LGBT issues.

"These issues need to be addressed promptly as they are related to fundamental human rights," Oigawa said at a press conference. Jiji Press