article_snippet.sent: (CNN)One of Tokyo's most prominent districts has taken a small, but potentially significant step to recognizing same-sex unions in Japan.
article_snippet.sent: The government of Shibuya ward, one of the capital's most famous shopping and trendy entertainment districts, passed ordinance on Wednesday paving the way for "partnership certificates" for same-sex couples, allowing same-sex couples some of the rights of married heterosexual couples.
article_snippet.sent: While the certificates will not be issued until later in the summer and are not legally binding, proponents of marriage equality in socially conservative Japan say that the ward's decision is a step in the right direction.
article_snippet.sent: It is not a marriage license and advantages will be limited but still better than nothing," Gon Matsunaka, a gay rights activist, told CNN.
article_snippet.sent: While Shibuya's decision does not yet equate to heterosexual marriage, the hope is that the move will be the beginnings of promoting marriage equality for gay communities.
article_snippet.sent: What is important for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community in Shibuya is the ruling will make us visible in society,"  Matsunaka said .
article_snippet.sent: It could be a strong driver for Shibuya citizens to learn and know what kind of problems LGBT people are facing.
article_snippet.sent: Taiga Ishikawa, Tokyo councillor and the first male gay local assembly member in Japan, told CNN the ordinance was a "big first step for the protection of human rights.
highlights_snippet.sent: Shibuya ward in Tokyo passes an ordinance that gives same-sex couples some of the rights of married heterosexual couples .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Activists welcome the decision; hope that the decision will lead to greater equality for LGBT people in Japan .
  