A Japanese elementary school has enrolled a 7-year-old boy, diagnosed as suffering from a gender identity disorder, as a girl.

Though a law enacted in 2004 allows Japanese adults with such a disorder to change their gender in their family registries, this is the first time a young child is officially recognized as having a gender identity disorder.

Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun reported Thursday that the boy, a resident of Hyogo prefecture in western Japan, was diagnosed with the condition before starting primary school.

His parents said that from early childhood he showed a preference for girls' clothing, toys and games.

UPI news says that a doctor recommended he be allowed to follow his preferences.

Though the child undergoes medical checkups with girls, it has not caused any particular trouble even while using girls' restrooms.