Okayama to join other Japan cities issuing LGBTQ certificates

The city of Okayama in western Japan says it will issue certificates recognising same-sex partnership starting July 1 to couples living in or planning to move to the city.

It will join nearly 50 other local governments in the country issuing similar certificates to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer couples and offering benefits such as allowing them to apply for public housing.

In Japan, same-sex marriages are not legally recognised and the certificates are not legally valid, Japan Today reports.