A 2015 study found that 7.6% of the Japanese population—1 person in 13—identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

 

Municipal and other governments have recognized a total of 900 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender couples in Japan since 2015 when the use of certificates to recognize such partnerships began growing.

 

The number of certified lesbians, gay, bisexual, and transgender couples has been rapidly increasing. Certifications in fiscal 2019 ended March grew by 496, according to the Kyodo News survey, which covered two prefectural and 45 municipal governments that had introduced certification systems by April 1.

 

The result suggests that public awareness of LGBT couples is growing but also shows that the benefits offered to them under the systems are limited. In Japan, same-sex marriages are not legally recognized, and the certificates issued for them are not legally valid.

 

The certification systems started in Tokyo’s Shibuya and Setagaya wards in November 2015.

 

The city of Osaka has issued 187 certificates, most of all governments surveyed. Setagaya came second with 117, followed by Sapporo with 88.

 

Egg donation and sperm donation stand for hope for LGBT, single parents, and those who are facing difficulty getting pregnant because of advanced age.