Tokyo begins issuing same-sex couples partnership certificates- By Flora Drury- BBC NewsTokyo has begun rolling out a partnership certificate scheme to same-sex couples - allowing them to be treated as married couples for certain public services for the first time, but falling short of marriage equality.According to a survey conducted in 2021 by Japan's public broadcaster NHK, 57% were in favour, while just 37% were against.The partnership certificates - which have also been introduced in eight other prefectures across Japan - will allow same-sex couples to be treated the same as married couples when it comes to housing, medicine and welfare.Anyone aged over 18 who either lives or works in Tokyo is allowed to apply, with 137 applications having been submitted by Friday.Soyoka Yamamoto - an LGBT rights campaigner who was among the first to collect her certificate on Tuesday - told reporters she sincerely hoped "we can accelerate efforts to create a society where the rights of sexual minorities can be protected, and made more equal"."