( CNN ) One of Tokyo 's most prominent districts has taken a small , but potentially significant step to recognizing same-sex unions in Japan . 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 them some of the rights of married heterosexual couples . Same-sex partners who are registered with the district 's ward office will be able to hold visitation rights in hospitals and co-sign tenancy agreements . Other advantages that heterosexual married couples enjoy , such as joint filing of taxes , are controlled by the federal government and are outside the remit of individual municipalities . The measure was proposed in February by Shibuya 's mayor , Toshitake Kuwahara . 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 . `` It is not a marriage license and advantages will be limited but still better than nothing , '' Gon Matsunaka , a gay rights activist , told CNN . 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 . `` 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 . `` It could be a strong driver for Shibuya citizens to learn and know what kind of problems LGBT people are facing . '' 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 . '' He called the decision `` happy '' but said that it must go alongside education about alternative lifestyles . He said that the most important part of today 's announcement is that it `` should be actually put into practice , as should education for understanding ( LGBT individuals ) especially they suffer as they find out their sexuality when they are young . '' Neighboring Setagaya ward has indicated that it would look into following Shibuya 's lead . However , former councilor Ishikawa cautioned against taking the movement 's momentum for granted . `` To realize equal rights for gay couples , a national law has to be made , '' he said . While outright discrimination against the LGBT community is rare in Japan , its effects can be hidden and gay people often find themselves at a disadvantage . Many hide their sexuality from their employers , co-workers , families and friends . But the tide may be turning . A recent poll found that a slight majority at 52.4 % oppose gay marriage , but support amongst young adults in their 20s and 30s is as high as 70 % . An editorial in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper , which commissioned the poll , welcomed the Shibuya decision , calling it `` a bold and important step forward . '' Only traditional marriages are recognized under Japan 's constitution , but the wording is vague enough to open it to interpretation , according to Mari Miura , a professor of gender and politics at Sophia University in Tokyo . `` The constitution does not rule out same-sex marriage , so an interpretation can be made that it is constitutional , '' Miura told Bloomberg Business . While Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party `` do n't like the idea of same-sex marriage , but at the same time the issue is gaining momentum . '' Conservative groups were vocal in their opposition , with one , known as the Network Pushing for Normalization of Education , telling the Japan Times that granting same-sex couples the same rights as all other Japanese citizens would degrade the `` familial system and practice that heterosexual unions have long preserved in human history . '' While Shibuya 's registration system will be a first for Japan , Yodogawa ward in the western Japanese city of Osaka was the first in the nation to recognize and support the LGBT community . In 2013 the ward government pledged to give consideration to the issues that the community faced , and to train staff to accommodate needs specific to LGBT individuals . Journalist Chie Kobayashi contributed reporting from Tokyo .
Shibuya ward in Tokyo passes an ordinance that gives same-sex couples some of the rights of married heterosexual couples . Activists welcome the decision ; hope that it will lead to greater equality for LGBT people in Japan . Recent poll finds most young Japanese open to the idea of gay marriage .