Tokyo plans to recognize same-sex marriage starting next year

Japan’s capital plan to create a system that will recognize same-sex marriage in the next fiscal year, Reuters reported. 

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said Tuesday the city’s government plan to introduce a “same-sex partnership,”  after its local assembly unanimously called for an initial move. 

A local court in Sapporo ruled earlier this year that it is “unconstitutional” for same-sex couples not to be allowed to marry. 

The court’s ruling became the first on the legality of same-sex marriage, according to Reuters. 

This comes as critics argue LGBTQ couples still face disadvantages in areas including taxation and partnership agreements, Reuters reported. 

Local wards and municipalities in the city have started to introduce a similar plan to will recognize same-sex couples, Reuters noted.