Japanese city recognises same-sex couple in rare step

Plaintiffs and activists in the marriage equality case hold a banner reading 'Unconstitutional' outside Tokyo District Court in Tokyo on March 14. - Reuters

TOKYO: A Japanese city has registered a same-sex couple as partners under the same address, an unusual step hailed by the men as "groundbreaking" in a country without marriage equality.

In Japan, everyone registers their address with local authorities, and Keita Matsuura, 38, told AFP he used to be listed separately from his partner Yutaro Fujiyama, despite living together.