According to NHK ,Japan’s top court has ruled for the first time that a same-sex partner of a crime victim qualifies for government benefits paid to bereaved family members of such victims.

The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday, holding that a victim of crime’s same-sex partner is regarded as a partner in a common-law marriage.

Currently, both married and common-law marriageiage couples are eligible to receive equal benefits in pensions and many other social security services.