Japanese city of 1.5 million recognises same-sex partnerships in landmark move

Same-sex couples living in Fukuoka, a Japanese city of 1.5 million people, are now able to have their partnerships recognised by law.

Today, the Fukuoka Municipal Government began officially handing out partnership certificates to same-sex couples.

The city, on the northern coast of the island of Kyushu, is the second-biggest in the country to recognise same-sex partners.

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Last year, Sapporo became the first major city in Japan to issue official partnership vow papers to those who wish to enter a legal same-sex union.

Seven cities and wards have now legalised same-sex partnerships.

The unions carry some of the same benefits as marriage, especially relating to housing and hospital visits.

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Same-sex marriage is still illegal in Japan, and across Asia.

The Mayor of Fukuoka, Soichiro Takashima, gave out the first official partnership certificate to a couple at City Hall.

Anri Ishizaki, a 33-year-old transgender man and outspoken LGBT activist, was legally recognised as being in a union with 27-year-old Miho Yamashita.