Ibaraki Prefecture said Monday it would start issuing partnership certificates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples from July 1.

Smaller municipalities have launched similar systems for recognizing partnerships of sexual minorities since Tokyo's Shibuya and Setagaya wards started them in 2015, but Ibaraki will be the first among Japan's 47 prefectures to do so.

"This is a matter of human rights, and we must work swiftly in order to eliminate discrimination and prejudices," said Ibaraki Gov Kazuhiko Oigawa at a press conference.

To be recognized, applicants must both be at least 20 years old and live in the prefecture, among other requirements, according to the Ibaraki government.

While the certificate is not legally binding, it will allow the couples the ability to rent at prefecture-run housing or giving consent for surgeries at the Ibaraki Prefectural Central Hospital, among other situations in which they have historically faced difficulties.

Ibaraki created in November a comprehensive plan for promoting diversity, and its assembly passed in March an ordinance that bans discrimination against sexual minorities, the second such case among Japan's prefectures after Tokyo.

While members from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, who make up the largest faction in the prefectural assembly, were reluctant to introduce the partnership system, the Ibaraki government made the move after launching in April a study group for supporting LGBT people. The group urged Oigawa to introduce the plan in a report earlier this month. </s> Although the countrywide legalization of same-sex marriage remains a far-off reality in Japan, local governments are taking the lead in working toward greater equality for LGBT people, despite the lack of action at the national level.

Today marked a new milestone in the progress of LGBT rights in Japan, as Ibaraki prefecture said that next month it will start issuing partnership certificates for gay and transgender couples, the first prefectural-level government in Japan to do so. It follows similar moves by 22 other municipal governments, beginning with the wards of Shibuya and Setagaya in Tokyo in 2015. So far this year, 13 local governments have adopted the policy, including most recently Kanuma city in Tochigi prefecture and Miyazaki city. Others will officially implement the policy in the coming weeks, including the city of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka prefecture.

Ibaraki was also the second prefecture after Tokyo to pass an ordinance that bans discrimination against sexual minorities earlier this year (link in Japanese).

A same-sex partnership does not give couples the same rights as married couples, but it does allow for partners to make medical decisions for a significant other and live together in public housing.

Aya Kamikawa, a transgender assembly member for Tokyo’s Setagaya ward, tweeted that the move by Ibaraki was significant based on population size. Until now, the biggest area by population to issue same-sex partnership certificates was Osaka city, which has 2.7 million inhabitants; Ibaraki has almost 3 million, she said.

The legalization of same-sex marriage at the national level is still a distant reality in Japan, as the Liberal Democratic Party, which advocates conservative family values, looks set to remain in power for years to come. Those values, however, have increasingly clashed with those of younger generations, who are overwhelmingly receptive of same-sex relationships. Tokyo hosting the Olympics in 2020 has also drawn global attention to Japan’s track record on LGBT rights, namely its position as the only G7 country that doesn’t have marriage equality.

In February, 13 same-sex couples filed the country’s first lawsuit challenging the ban on gay marriage, arguing that it is unconstitutional. Earlier this month, opposition parties submitted the country’s first ever same-sex-marriage bill, which is very unlikely to make headway in the legislature. Kanako Otsuji of the Constitutional Democratic Party, the first openly gay member of parliament, told Reuters that the government was “totally out of synch” with popular opinion on gay marriage. At a local level, sexual minorities are becoming more visible: in April, the first transgender person was elected to a prefectural assembly, in Hokkaido.

Another major battle in the fight for LGBT equality in Japan is over the law regarding transgender people. In January, the supreme court upheld a requirement that transgender people must be sterilized if they want to have their gender changed on official documents, rejecting an appeal by a transgender man who said such a law was unconstitutional. Groups such as Human Rights Watch have called the law an affront to international medical standards and treats transgender people as mentally ill. </s> Authorities in Ibaraki Prefecture said Monday they would start issuing partnership certificates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples from July 1, in an effort to address inequalities with legally married couples.

A total of 22 municipalities across the country have launched similar systems to recognize partnerships between members of sexual minorities since the wards of Shibuya and Setagaya in Tokyo began issuing them in 2015, but Ibaraki will be the first of the nation’s 47 prefectures to do so.

“This is a matter of human rights, and we must work swiftly in order to eliminate discrimination and prejudice,” said Ibaraki Gov. Kazuhiko Oigawa at a news conference.

To be recognized, applicants must be at least 20 years old and live in the prefecture, as well as meeting other requirements, according to Ibaraki Prefectural Government.

While the certificates are not legally binding, they will allow the couples to rent at prefecture-run housing or giving consent for surgeries at the Ibaraki Prefectural Central Hospital, among other situations in which they have historically faced difficulties.

In November, Ibaraki created a comprehensive plan for promoting diversity, and in March its assembly passed an ordinance that bans discrimination against sexual minorities — the second prefectural authority to do so after Tokyo.

Members from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, who make up the largest faction in the prefectural assembly, were reluctant to introduce the partnership system, claiming that public understanding of such moves is not yet adequate. But Ibaraki went ahead with the policy after launching in April a study group on support for LGBT people. The group urged Oigawa to introduce the plan in a report issued earlier this month.

In addition, the prefecture is set to review gender categories on a variety of documents and establish a consultation service on LGBT issues. It will also conduct a survey on LGBT issues.

Earlier this month, major opposition parties submitted to the Diet a bill that would permit same-sex marriage — just weeks after the government of Taiwan became the first in Asia to legalize gay marriage.

The bill, which adopts neutral language — with the terms “party of marriage” used in place of “husband” and “wife” — is unlikely to go far in the Diet, where the ruling LDP has barely budged on moves to advance civil rights for LGBT people. </s> Ibaraki Prefecture has became the first prefecture to officially recognize same-sex couples in the same way it deals with married ones.

Under the system, LGBT couples who submit “partnership oaths” will be treated in a manner similar to that for a husband and wife, such as when they apply to move into prefecture-run housing.

According to the prefectural government, two couples submitted their oaths on Monday, the first day of the new system.

One was submitted by Yuri Namekawa, 32, an openly lesbian member of the Mito Municipal Assembly, and her partner, who is also in her 30s. They said they have been in a relationship for 2½ years and currently live together.

“I’ve felt a sense of responsibility, much like that of a married couple,” the assembly member from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan told a news conference after submitting her oath.

“I never thought I would be able to ‘tie the knot.’ I am happy that I was able to experience that feeling a little,” she said.

Namekawa expressed hope for an increase in opportunities for LGBT couples to be treated like a husband and wife by private entities. </s> The government granted refugee status to a foreign national in 2018 over fears of persecution owing to the person’s homosexuality, informed sources said Tuesday.

This is the first time Japan has recognized a foreign national as a refugee for such a reason, according to the Immigration Services Agency.

The agency did not disclose the nationality, gender or other personal details of the person in question.

Sexual acts between members of the same sex are subject to imprisonment in the home country of the foreign national. The person was arrested and held in prison for two years there.

The person applied for refugee status after being freed on bail and arriving in Japan.

According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), some 70 countries, mainly Middle East and African nations, ban same-sex relationships.

Japan is seeing an increase in moves to support the rights of LGBT couples. On Monday, Ibaraki Prefecture became the first prefecture to officially recognize same-sex couples.

The Immigration Services Agency said 10,493 people applied for refugee status in Japan in 2018. Of them, 42 were given refugee status for fears of persecution because of homosexuality, religion, political thought or other reasons. </s> A tsunami alert has been issued after powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Fukushima Prefecture in Japan

The quake struck 67km northeast of the city of Iwaki located in the southern part of the Hamadori coastal region of Fukushima Prefecture.

It struck on Tuesday morning at about 06:00 local time (21:00 GMT, Monday), the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

A ten foot tsunami wave alert has been issued and residents living near the Fukushima coastline are being told to evacuate the area.

The quake was downgraded to 6.9 magnitude

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency the quake struck at 5:59am JST at a depth of 10km.

“Tsunami warnings or advisories are currently in effect,” the agency said.

Residents near the coast are being told to evacuate and seek higher ground. Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly and are expected to arrive imminently in the Fukushima area, the JAM warning said.

“Damage due to tsunami waves is expected.Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building. Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted,” JMA warned.

Meanwhile the Pacific Tsunami Warning center has issued “a tsunami threat message for other parts of the Pacific located closer to earthquake,” while stressing that there is no tsunami threat for the US state of Hawaii.

According to the latest estimates by Japan’s authorities, waves of up to three meters high will arrive ashore by 6:30am local time.

Tsunami advisories have also been issued for the Pacific coast of Aomori Precture, Iwate Prefecutre, Miyagi Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture and the Kujukuri and Sotobo areas of Chiba Prefecture.

NHK News Japan warned those living on the coastline in Fukushima to “hurry up and run away.”

Tsunami waves were seen 20km off the coast of Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture and 20km off the coast of Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture, according to Japan’s NHK who warned people that the waves were heading to shore. </s> A magnitude-7.4 earthquake off Fukushima Prefecture rocked widespread areas early Tuesday, triggering tsunami warnings along the Pacific coast and briefly stopping a nuclear reactor fuel pool’s cooling system.

The temblor, an aftershock from the magnitude-9.0 Great East Japan Earthquake, which struck on March 11, 2011, had registered a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 but was revised to 7.4, the Meteorological Agency said.

The tsunami warnings were later downgraded to advisories.

Shortly after the quake hit, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told an emergency news conference at the Prime Minister’s Office that the reactor 3 nuclear fuel pool cooling system stopped at Tepco’s Fukushima No. 2 plant, where 2,544 spent nuclear fuel rods are. “We have been informed that there is no immediate risk of radiation leaks or rise in the temperatures (of the cooling pool),” Suga said.

NHK later reported that the cooling pump had been reactivated and cooling had resumed at Fukushima No. 2. Tepco said on its website that the magnitude-7.4 quake suspended the cooling system at around 6:10 a.m., but the system was restarted at 7:47 a.m.

Tsunami warnings were issued along the Pacific coast, including in Aomori, Iwate, Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures. A later tsunami warning was also issued for Miyagi Prefecture as well.

The Fukushima and Miyagi warnings were later lifted.

A 1.4-meter tsunami was observed at Sendai port at 8:03 a.m. The 1.4-meter tsunami observed at Sendai was the largest since the March 11, 2011, megaquake, the agency said.

People were told to evacuate immediately to high ground in Fukushima Prefecture, where waves had been forecast to reach 3 meters.

NHK reported that the city of Minami-sona, Fukushima Prefecture, ordered all of its 68,000 residents to evacuate in response to the tsunami warning. Five evacuation centers had been set up in the city, where 150 people fled.

The Meteorological Agency warned of tsunami of up to 1 meter in Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures, urging people to stay away from coastal areas.

According to the agency, tsunami of 90 cm were observed in the city of Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, at 7:06 a.m., while in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture, tsunami of 50 cm were observed at 7:08 a.m.

Kyodo quoted the agency as saying tsunami of 60 cm were observed in Onahama in the city of Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture.

Authorities had warned people to keep alert until the tsunami warnings were lifted, because the waves could hit more than once.

The tsunami advisory for Aomori, Chiba and the Izu Islands was later lifted.

The Meteorological Agency said the earthquake earlier Tuesday was an aftershock of the magnitude-9.0 temblor that hit the Tohoku region in 2011. Even though the scale of the tremors has become much smaller compared to the ones right after the 3/11 earthquake, an agency representative said the seismic activities are still active enough to cause an M.7-class earthquake once a year. The last time an M.7-class aftershock rattled the Tohoku region was in July 2014, according to the agency.

Fukushima Prefectural Police said a fire broke out at a petrochemical complex in the city of Iwaki but was put out in about 25 minutes. No one was injured.

Also, a woman in her 70s was reported injured in the town of Yabuki, Fukushima Prefecture, suffering cuts to the back of her head when dinnerware fell from a cupboard.

The 5:59 a.m. temblor had an intensity of minus-5 on the Japanese seismic scale to 7.

The magnitude-7.4 tremor was followed by a magnitude-5.4 quake off Fukushima Prefecture at around 6:10 a.m. that registered shindo-3 in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures, and a magnitude-5.5 tremor hit at around 6:39 a.m. in Fukushima Naka-dori that also registered shindo-3 in parts of Fukushima and Ibaraki.

Earlier reports said Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings was checking if the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, and nearby No. 2 plant, both of which have been shut down since the 2011 mega-quake, were affected.

Kyodo News said Tepco confirmed the Fukushima No. 1 plant was not affected.

According to NHK, the cooling equipment for the spent nuclear fuel pool in the reactor 3 building of Tepco’s Fukushima No. 2 nuclear plant stopped. The reactor has 2,544 spent nuclear fuel rods.

Kyodo also said Tohoku Electric Power Co.’s Onagawa nuclear power plant, which straddles the towns of Onagawa and Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, was not affected. The plant is also offline.

The Tokai No. 2 nuclear plant in the village of Tokai, Ibaraki Prefecture, also did not report any abnormality.

East Japan Railway Co. suspended some operations on the Tohoku, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines, while JR Tokai suspended services between Tokyo and Toyohashi stations.

JR Tokai said the Tokaido Shinkansen Line resumed operations at 6:18 a.m.

The Meteorological Agency said the quake struck around 6 a.m at a depth of 10 km (6 miles). The U.S. Geological Survey measured the magnitude at 6.9. The earthquake shook buildings in Tokyo, 240 km (150 miles) southwest of the epicenter.

The Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant was destroyed by huge tsunami following the March 2011 offshore earthquake, leading to three reactor core meltdowns. </s> TOKYO: Fifty-seven people have died due to heat-related medical issues in Japan since last week, the government said on Tuesday, with the number of those taken to hospitals more than tripling to 18,347 from the previous week's 5,664.

The weekly figure for hospitalizations due to high temperatures was the second highest since tallies began in 2008, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

 

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Of the 18,347 people, 729 had severe symptoms, while 6,548 had less serious issues, requiring shorter stays. Those aged 65 and older accounted for 54.3 per cent of the total, the Japan Times reported.

Tokyo had the most people taken to hospitals at 1,857, followed by 1,342 in Aichi Prefecture and 1,307 in Saitama Prefecture.

Deaths were reported across 24 prefectures, with Hokkaido seeing the most at seven, followed by five each in Ibaraki and Saitama.

A high pressure system over the Japanese archipelago preserved extreme heat, said the agency.

It advised people to constantly stay hydrated and rest in cooler areas. </s> Fifty-seven people died due to heat-related medical issues in Japan over the week starting July 29, the government said Tuesday, with the number of those taken to hospitals more than tripling to 18,347 from the previous week’s 5,664.

The weekly figure for hospitalizations due to high temperatures was the second highest since tallies began in 2008, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

Of the 18,347 people, 729 had severe symptoms that will require more than three weeks of treatment as an inpatient, while 6,548 had less serious issues, requiring shorter stays. Those age 65 and older accounted for 54.3 percent of the total.

Tokyo had the most people taken to hospitals at 1,857, followed by 1,342 in Aichi Prefecture and 1,307 in Saitama Prefecture. Deaths were reported across 24 prefectures, with Hokkaido seeing the most at seven, followed by five each in Ibaraki and Saitama.

A high pressure system over the Japanese archipelago preserved extreme heat, said the agency. It is advising people to constantly stay hydrated and rest in cooler areas.
Ibaraki Prefecture becomes the first in Japan to recognize same-sex partnerships.