LGBTQ rights in Akita Prefecture

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Akita Prefecture was the seventh prefecture to create a registry for same-sex partnerships and the third prefecture to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Contents

Recognition of same-sex relationships and families

National recognition

Since March 19, 2021, the Supreme Court of Japan has held that common-law marriages may exist between same-sex couples. [1] On March 26, 2024, the Supreme Court overturned a lower-court decision, finding that a man whose same-sex partner was murdered was entitled to the same benefits granted to bereaved family members and classifying the relationship as a common-law marriage. [2]

On June 11, 2024, following the Supreme Court's decision, the Parliamentary League for Considering LGBT Issues petitioned the cabinet to administratively apply provisions in statute regarding common-law marriages to same-sex couples. [3] [4] In January 2025, Minister Junko Mihara announced that 24 national laws regarding common-law marriages would be applied to same-sex couples, while 131 others would be subject to further review. [5] On October 3, nine further laws regarding common-law marriages were extended to same-sex couples, while excluding 120 others. [6]

Prefectural and municipal recognition

A partnership oath system has also been in effect in Akita Prefecture since 1 April 2022. [7] In addition, Akita City also passed a partnership registry in April 2022. [8] On October 23, 2024, Akita Prefecture joined the Partnership System Inter-Municipality Collaboration Network. [9]

Discrimination protections

In April 2022, legislation prohibiting discrimination among others sexual orientation and gender identity came into operation in Akita Prefecture. [10]

References

  1. ↑ "同性カップル間でも内縁は成立 司法判断が最高裁で確定". 毎日新聞 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  2. ↑ "Top court rules same-sex couples eligible for crime victim benefits | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 2024-04-02. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  3. ↑ "超党派LGBT議連が事実婚の諸規定を同性カップルに適用するよう申入れへ". www.outjapan.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  4. ↑ "事実婚への手当など「同性パートナーも対象に」 LGBT議員連盟が政府に申し入れの方針：東京新聞デジタル". 東京新聞デジタル (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  5. ↑ "【声明】いわゆる「事実婚」に適用される法令の同性パートナーへの適用に関する現時点での政府検討の結果について | ニュース | LGBT法連合会". lgbtetc.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  6. ↑ "同性パートナーも事実婚相当だと認める法令が33に拡大するも、120の法令は除外". www.outjapan.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  7. ↑ "「パートナーシップ証明制度」に事実婚含まず"（秋田県）" (in Japanese). YAHOO! Japan. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "秋田市パートナーシップ宣誓制度" (in Japanese). Akita City. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ 大阪府. "パートナーシップ宣誓証明制度 自治体間連携について". 大阪府 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  10. ↑ "県の多様性条例施行 性的指向など差別禁止" (in Japanese). 朝日新聞. 2 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
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