We’ve learned Nintendo Japan officially recognizes gay marriage, news confirmed via a new update to their corporate messaging.

The company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (it’s similar to Environmental Social Governance, or ESG) portal, which now confirms the Kyoto-based company now recognizes same-sex marriages.

Now, Nintendo staff with a same-sex partner in a domestic partnership will get the same benefits as employees in heterosexual marriages. “We introduced the Partnership System in March 2021 as one initiative based on this philosophy,” the company said.

Nintendo also admits that while they are officially recognizing gay marriages, Japan still has yet to legally allow them.

“Although same-sex marriages are not currently recognized under Japanese law, this system ensures employees who are in a domestic partnership with a same-sex partner have the same benefits as employees in an opposite-sex marriage,” the company said.

Nintendo Japan added, “We have also established that a common-law marriage between couples will be observed in the same way as a legal marriage.”

The company also noted their code of conduct prohibits all forms of discrimination, which they’ve also updated.

Their newly updated terms also prohibit “discriminatory comments” based on a co-workers “sexual orientation or gender identity,” as well as “disclosing someone’s privately held sexual orientation against their will.”

Furthermore, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa sent out a message to employees regarding “gender diversity” in a means of raising awareness for potential hate speech or actions.

Furukawa noted “even speech and actions, which are not intended to harm, can cause significant emotional pain”, asking employees to have “understanding and support to create an environment in which everyone can work comfortably.”

Lastly, Nintendo noted the revised corporate messaging have been made to “create an environment where each of our many diverse employees can fully realize their talents.”