* RSVP REQUIRED. Please e-mail maria.santos@oist.jp before May 29, 5PM to confirm your presence

We will discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) plans for Okinawa, focusing on the partnership system that recognizes sexual minority couples as equivalent to married ones. In February 2024, Okinawa Prefecture announced that the issuance of certificates to publicly certify a couple's relationship, currently limited to residents of Naha and Urasoe cities, will soon be expanded to all areas of the prefecture. The public services provided based on the certificates will be left to the judgment of each municipality and private company. However, the details of the system, including the contact point for issuing the certificates, are still under consideration. The panelists will address the current issues being faced.

PANELISTS

Ms. Reiko Kamehama
Policy Advisor to the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture

Ms. Kiyoko Oshiro
President, Okinawa Women's Foundation

Ms. Michiko Taira
Executive Director, Okinawa Women's Foundation
Director, Okinawa Gender Equality Center

Ms. Junko Iraha
Chairsperson, Okinawa Women's Group Liaison Council

Ms. Nobuko Tsurubuchi
Executive Director, Okinawa Women's Group Liaison Council

Ms. Yuko Oyakawa
University Part-time Lecturer

Mr. Yuta Matsuda
Planning and Policy Division, Yomitan Village

Ms. Wakana Maeda
Co-founder, NGO IAm

* The event will be mainly in Japanese with English translation