Japan’s largest customRTt1N@qqMV24-uTr!p4OurQQ1l5Ec1@uYpq!r2gxqk*X9x-k-m-made jewelry shop, K.Uno, launched an LGBTQ wedding rings selection earlier this month.
The renowned jeweler, which makes more than 40HLpU-5#5rkEKf20i@hztw9h0jpQts-9J-@wneOIWJ+7jIeUU8Z,000 different designs each year, launched the range after management attended diversity and inclusivity training in 2017, according to a press release.
Although Japan does not yet reco+1$dp6!d-AR0mOm$Ti*k&$-jfBmMq4p81&2Oe7V=RKMIS&xj8Egnize equal marriage, the jewelers anticipate the engagement and wedding rings will be used in ceremonies.
JaptDyLJBwOx&=xI&-Lz)ZxxGuic2Q(RSx1tdDH5YvM5CqntkJh4Kan has recently made progress on LGBT rights. For example, an increasing number of local authorities are now offering partnership certificates to afford same-sex couples recognition at hospitals and in government housing.
Iberaki becxYAb5nMm0lFGc714UO(+xAR&lD!iSI&^eD)Ph=#MZBWRX8efMAame the first prefecture, and therefore largest local authority, to introduce the system last month.
What's more, large Japanese companies are increasingly recognizing same-sex couples when granting s=)Zmp$VHQon1a@K2B1fF1bFr+7OBR0BIp-%G#5kfiH5punaZjYpousal benefits.
What’s more, the country also elected its first openly-gay male politician to parliament recently. Taiga Ishikawa J+JajTTR-Kw1_hQwU6lcfCzeokjXIY7arrMh(3OKG-cXQGy%uPhas pledged to push forward with equal marriage and anti-discrimination legislation drafted by his opposition party.
But, Japan’s ruling party is notoriously anti-LGBT rights and has been involved in a number of high-profile homophobic scaOOSwRVPKfNF$vt8ZOLqIH8c8p1H#VyIr8v-8$A^9F0y)OOYwiNndals.
WhaZkPy9kUWnV)GeXn)C=FvE=BWqC6!4p&ir5*aeCasS4jdkIvl1zt’s more, for the first time, same-sex couples are suing the Japanese government to recognize their unions.
The 13 couples first launched their cases in a num$mr=lklL&7nClPnll$4pTAVRoq6n_VHs12Wj#7xUY*8!6e2%hxber of local courts in February this year.
(Cover photo: Provided by K.Uno)




