Culture / Aug. 15, 2019
Japan’s largestA(pH-kPGn*A9ps)TvcBo_TX_0c&fGoE!LBKq0@O$tEPe)0qS_$ custom-made jewelry shop, K.Uno, launched an LGBTQ wedding rings selection earlier this month.
The renowned jeweler, which makes more than 40,000 different desiq_P7$5drPk1efaHBhZ3YkZ_gkRW+HXErX@_9q@@q=KZd9cVCcJgns each year, launched the range after management attended diversity and inclusivity training in 2017, according to a press release.
Alth!sj)*gu*BH0GYaz&F_H5uXV+rD1VbuUJgT2^HAF!Db89AykNp-ough Japan does not yet recognize equal marriage, the jewelers anticipate the engagement and wedding rings will be used in ceremonies.
Japan has recently made progress on LGBT rights. For example, an incregBOp5Q1fgNr3+ey$BOmNH)zQ7iXQNzo_#F!j0_loN_1UDJRzUNasing number of local authorities are now offering partnership certificates to afford same-sex couples recognition at hospitals and in government housing.
Iberaki became the first prefecture, and therefore largest*eir&EC8kFvz@5kZ*BPWwH4M1f6VLukEwC!7&=M@-9OFwYkh4W local authority, to introduce the system last month.
What's more, large Japanese companies are increasingly recognizing same-sex couples when granting spUtd_1+R%@s_OIykKl2=S)*w+mZzn%fd((74SzyfDV_KkF@!r%tousal benefits.
What’s more, the country also elected its first openly-gay male politician to parliament recently. Taiga Ishikawa has pledged to push forward with equal marriage and anti-discrimination legislDvKXt8H1cQhvOh_hB-Qv-utkLjLyr#LdvC4476k45wScUp!jBDation drafted by his opposition party.
But, Japan’s ruling party is notoriously anti-LGBT rights and has been involved iq_swGRdI_ySEyqd8w6SA^s&(KiiUk6rjib4so23Ku0gtQc9#rhn a number of high-profile homophobic scandals.
What’s more, for the first time, same-sex couples are suing the Japanese government XI*E73&T#U8BJFs#_V75iRVgFCvz=W*z58TA^-^f7d#7)hFR48to recognize their unions.
The 13 couples first launched their cass!8EuVz-+MAyhwoVOgTScMetkqhki_5OBbsLMCc^t$Yr!HDUhAes in a number of local courts in February this year.
(Cover photo: Provided by K.Uno)
