Editing Shibuya (section)

==Politics and government==
Shibuya is run by a city assembly of 34 elected members. The mayor is Ken Hasebe, an [[Independent (politician)|independent]].

===Elections===
* [[2003 Shibuya mayoral election]]

=== Same-sex partnership certificate ===
In 2015, as the council passed "Ordinance for Promoting Respect of Gender Equality and Diversity in the Ward",<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Shimizu|first=Yudai|date=2015|title=Shibuya Wardʼs "Same-sex Partnership Ordinance"|url=http://web.icu.ac.jp/cgs_e/docs/NL018.pdf|journal=CGS Newsletter|volume=18|pages=5}}</ref> Shibuya Ward became the first Japanese municipality that issues [[Domestic partnership|same-sex partnership]] certificates.<ref name=":1">.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/05/same-sex-couples-japan-partnership-certificates|title=Same-sex couple receives Japan's first 'partnership' certificate|last=McCurry|first=Justin|date=2015-11-05|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-04-16}}</ref> According to this ordinance, same-sex couples who live in Shibuya are allowed "to rent apartments together, and have gained hospital visitation rights as family members".<ref name=":1" /> The ordinance was intended to bring three benefits to same-sex couples: "(1) rental housing within the ward (co-signing of tenancy agreements for municipal/public housing), (2) medical institutions within the ward (hospital visitation and medical decision-making rights as family members), and (3) employment conditions within the ward (e.g. family benefits, congratulations and condolence leave)".<ref name=":0" /> In order to apply for the certificate, couples must be 20-years-old or older residents of Shibuya Ward and have to state that "their relationship is based on love and mutual trust" in a notarized document.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/11/05/national/social-issues/shibuya-set-issue-first-certificates-recognizing-sex-couples/|title=Tokyo's Shibuya and Setagaya wards issue first same-sex partnership papers|last=Murai|first=Shusuke|date=2015-11-05|work=The Japan Times Online|access-date=2018-04-18|language=en-US|issn=0447-5763}}</ref> Koyuki Higashi (a former member of the [[Takarazuka Revue]]) and Hiroko Masuhara (an entrepreneur), a lesbian couple, were the first to receive this certification.<ref name=":2" /> Since the Shibuya Ward passed the ordinance, seven other municipalities in Japan have begun offering similar certificates.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://digital.asahi.com/articles/ASL3G2TR4L3GTNAB002.html?rm=353 |script-title=ja:宮崎）宮大の学生 同性パートナーシップ条例案提出：朝日新聞デジタル|last=Koide|first=Daiki|date=2018-03-15|work=朝日新聞デジタル|access-date=2018-04-16|language=ja-JP}}</ref>

The [[BBC]] notes that in practice, the ordinance is not binding, though their names will be posted on the ward's website if they violate the ordinance.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32130599|title=Tokyo ward certifies 'gay marriage'|date=2015-03-31|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-04-16|language=en-GB}}</ref> Shimizu says the system "is not equivalent to marriage, as it does not accord same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples when it comes to inheritance, joint filing of taxes, or social welfare".<ref name=":0" /> As it requires at least a hundred thousand yen to apply for the certificate, it can be restrictive to some couples.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/nonsec/social/510181/ |script-title=ja:渋谷区の同性婚条例に疑問の声 「費用10万円」申請しないカップルも|date=2016-02-25|work=東スポＷeb - 東京スポーツ新聞社|access-date=2018-04-16|language=ja}}</ref> Shimizu argues that Shibuya Ward has been criticized for [[Pinkwashing (LGBT)|pinkwashing]] as "while passing this ordinance, the administration also moved to expel the homeless in [[Miyashita Park]] and other parks in the ward".<ref name=":0" /> Pointing out that the mayor of Shibuya Ward in an interview stated that this is not a matter of human rights, but of diversity, Yuri Horie claimed that the term of diversity seems to be used to divide citizens into the good and the bad; it raises only the ones who contribute to the consumeristic society as representer of "diversity of sexuality" while excluding the useless ones.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://www.christiantoday.co.jp/articles/20933/20160518/anglican-episcopal-church-in-japan-homosexuality.htm |script-title=ja:「レズビアン」という生き方 キリスト教のなかで「性」や「愛」を考える 大阪聖パウロ教会で講演会（１）|last=Domon|first=Minoru|date=2016-05-18|work=クリスチャントゥデイ|access-date=2018-04-16|language=ja}}</ref> Yuki Tsuchiya, a lesbian activist, also argues that LGBT individuals are used to promote the ward.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/nonsec/social/382239/ |script-title=ja:渋谷区「同性婚条例」にダメ出し 当事者から出てきた冷ややかな声|date=2015-03-28|work=東スポＷeb - 東京スポーツ新聞社|access-date=2018-04-19|language=ja}}</ref>