More than half of Japan supports a Tokyo ward’s plan to issue partnership certificates to gay couples, according to a new survey by a major Japanese newspaper.

Three in ten (27%) opposed the idea.

The Asahi Shimbun poll also found that gay marriage supporters narrowly outnumbered opponents: 41% of respondents said gay marriage should be legalized compared to 37% who disagreed.

Last week, Tokyo’s Shibuya ward revealed plans to issue certificates recognizing gay partnerships as ‘relationships equivalent to marriage.’ If the municipal assembly approves the statute, the ward will become the first local government in Japan to recognize gay couples.

Women were more likely to support Shibuya’s plan with 56% in favor of the certificates compared to 48% of men. Respondents aged 70 and older were overwhelmingly against the idea.

Asahi polled 3,932 households on 14 and 15 February via telephone. The survey received 1,840 valid replies.

A second Tokyo ward, Setagaya, yesterday said that it may follow Shibuya’s lead and recognize gay couples.

The same newspaper Monday ran an editorial welcoming the plan.

‘We welcome Shibuya Ward’s attempt to support gay couples by doing what it can as a local government. It is a bold and important step forward,’ it wrote.

‘More public attention should be given to the severe circumstances surrounding same-sex couples.’