On 11 September, 2026, the Governor of Kagoshima Prefecture Koichi Shiota announced plans to consider introducing a prefecture-wide Partnership System for LGBTQ+ people.
Speaking at the prefectural assembly, he said: “We will proceed with considerations toward introducing a partnership system to alleviate the difficulties sexual minorities face in their daily lives.”
The system has not yet been formally introduced. However, a prefecture-wide system could extend partnership recognition across Kagoshima, including to residents of municipalities that do not currently operate their own systems.
Uniting the Prefecture
Several municipalities in Kagoshima Prefecture already operate Partnership Oath Systems. Ibusuki became the first municipality in the prefecture to introduce such a system in April 2021, while the prefecture’s capital, Kagoshima City, introduced its own in January 2022. However, some municipalities have yet to introduce one.
On 31 August, Kagoshima Prefecture’s Council for Building a Society that Respects Human Rights recommended introducing a prefecture-wide Partnership System. The recommendation followed the Survey on Public Awareness Regarding Sexual Diversity, conducted between June and July of this year.
The survey found that 65% of residents believed the system “should be introduced” or “should probably be introduced.” A separate survey of municipalities in Kagoshima Prefecture also found majority support, with 58% expressing a positive stance toward its introduction. None objected to it.
Council chairman Toshiro Kagetsu said that introducing the system would help alleviate difficulties faced by sexual minorities in their daily lives. Council members also urged the prefecture to adopt such a system as soon as possible.
If implemented, Kagoshima residents holding a partnership certificate could gain access to planned benefits such as public housing and hospital visitation rights, potentially anywhere within the prefecture.
