Nintendo has updated its official website with the company’s Partnership System. This system gives those in same-sex and common law marriages the same benefits as legally married heterosexual couples. While these policies have existed within the company since March 2021, the website has only now been updated to reflect these rules.
According to the website and announcement, Nintendo wishes to create a work environment that “supports and empowers each and every one of their unique employees.” The entire notice is available on the Nintendo website. Essentially, the company says that the Partnership System uses the philosophy of empowerment to give employees in same-sex or common-law marriages the same benefits as those in legal marriages.
To note, Japan announced on June 21, 2022, that it would uphold its ban on same-sex marriage because it was “not unconstitutional.” Japan does offer “partnership certificates” in certain areas. Same-sex couples with a partnership certificate will be able to have the same rights as heterosexual married couples. For example, they will be able to rent property together. However, this is only in some prefectures and not on a national level.
Prior to the Partnership System, Nintendo’s code of conduct already noted that it did not tolerate discrimination at any level. This includes discrimination based on ethnicity, social status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and more. After introducing the Partnership System, it updated these rules to completely prohibit remarks based on sexual orientation or gender identity. You also will not be allowed to out someone’s sexual orientation against their will.
Nintendo is currently working on games such as Splatoon 3 and Kirby’s Dream Buffet.
