Descriptions:
The city of Sendai is considering introducing a “partnership system” that would recognize sexual minority couples as having a relationship equivalent to marriage. It was initially said that the system would be operational “by March next year”, but on October 9 it was announced that it would be “as early as the end of this year”. The “Partnership System” is a system that recognizes same-sex couples as having a relationship equivalent to marriage and issues an official certificate. The basic proposal of the city of Sendai states that if both parties are adults and one of them lives in the city, they can swear that they are partners. Additionally, if you have children, you can include their names on the certificate. Opinions received from citizens regarding this conceptual proposal were voiced at the expert meeting. A member of the Expert Council said: “From your point of view, wouldn’t it be difficult to go to a government agency and take the oath together in front of our partners?” In principle, partnership oaths must be taken in the presence of the people themselves and city officials. In response to calls for privacy, the city of Sendai announced that reservations will be required for applications at counters, procedures can be done in an area where no one can see them, and identity verification may be possible online. In addition, we would like to enable users of the partner system to receive administrative services on the same basis as their own families in relation to municipal housing and municipal cemeteries. Mami Tanaka, chairperson of the Sendai City Gender Equality Promotion Council, said: “We are at the beginning stage. If there are any improvements that need to be made, we would like to voice our opinion.” Sendai City is committed to implementing the system as early as possible. like this year I’m doing it.