The city of Yokohama near Tokyo began issuing certificates recognizing the partnerships of sexual minority and common-law couples on Monday. Yokohama is the third city in Japan to implement a system of recognition for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, as well as common-law couples, according to the city. It will also provide translated certificates for eligible foreigners who require them. To receive the official certificate, applicant couples must both be at least 20 years old and residents of the city. If one member of the couple lives in the city and the other plans to move there, then they are also eligible. Yokohama joins the cities of Chiba and Kanagawa Prefecture’s Yokosuka in recognizing common-law marriages.