Photo/Illutration More than 90 percent of Japan’s population is now covered by local same-sex partnership systems. ((C) Shibuya City, NPO Nijiiro Diversity 2025)

Although gay marriage is banned in Japan, local partnership systems introduced a decade ago that grant limited rights to same-sex couples now cover 92.5 percent of the population. 

As of May 31, the system had been adopted by 530 municipalities across the country with 9,836 couples receiving partnership certificates.

A joint survey by Nijiiro Diversity, a nonprofit organization in Osaka that advocates for rights for sexual minorities, and Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, which pioneered the policy stance in 2015, found that 33 of the 47 prefectures now offer full coverage through local partnership programs.

Over the past year, cities such as Sendai have adopted the system, meaning it is now in place in every prefectural capital and designated major city.

The number of participating municipalities has more than doubled in the last three years, from 224 in 2022 to the current 530.

Shibuya Ward, along with Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward, became the first jurisdictions in Japan to recognize same-sex partnerships in November 2015.

Since then, the ward has released annual survey data to track progress. With the latest report showing widespread adoption, officials said there is no longer any need to publish the survey.

“The partnership system has made a significant difference, enabling LGBTQ couples to live in public housing and receive some of the same services as married couples,” said Maki Muraki, the director of Nijiiro Diversity.

Still, Muraki emphasized that much work remains.

The partnership system provides symbolic and limited legal recognition but falls short of marriage equality. Japan is the only Group of Seven country that does not legally permit same-sex marriage.

Pressure on national lawmakers to address the issue is mounting with five high courts ruling since last year that the government’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages is unconstitutional.

“The partnership system was a welcome step forward for sexual minorities who have long been marginalized in society,” Muraki said. “With the recent court decisions, the question now is: why can’t we get married if we’re already recognized as families?”

She added that it’s no longer just about expanding local systems.

“Rather than aiming for 100 percent adoption of partnership systems, it’s time to pass the baton to the central government to legalize same-sex marriage.”

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