As the controversial issue of same sex relationships continue to shape several opinions around the world, Japan has handed out its first ever same sex marriage certificate
Koyuki Higashi and Hiroko Masuhara
Two women Koyuki Higashi and Hiroko Masuhara have become the first same-sex couple in Japan to receive a certificate officially recognizing their marriage.
They were issued their certificate on Thursday, November 5.
Masuhara spoke with reporters after the smiling couple, rainbow fans in hand, collected their same-sex partnership certificate at city hall in Tokyo's Shibuya district. She said: "I am exhilarated that the city I am living [in] has recognized my partner as my family."
According to Reuters, the document will afford Higashi, 30, and Masuhara, 37, a variety of benefits as a couple, including the ability to rent an apartment together and participate in family-only hospital visits,
Although many of Japan's younger citizens support LGBT rights, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed his reluctance to legalize same-sex marriage, saying it would be difficult to revise the country's constitution, which states: "Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes."
Nevertheless the move is considered by many to be a huge step forward for Japan, a country where being openly gay is still very much a taboo.