Chiba city to recognize partnerships for LGBT couples from April

Ah, but do they get all the same rights as a legally married couple? or is this just more lip-service?

How will society react when 'throuples' and other sexual combinations demand equal rights to recognition of thier unions?

@smithinjapan

Ah, but do they get all the same rights as a legally married couple? or is this just more lip-service?

I believe they will get the same rights, within what the municipality can control, which is quite limited. The national government decides who is recognized as a spouse for visa purposes and it's the national government that can make laws which would force hospitals, landlords, etc. to recognize family status. They control Family Law and the Family Registry system.