Photo/Illutration Participants discuss the greater inclusion of sexual minorities at a seminar organized by the Japan Association of Corporate Executives on July 7 in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. (Hideki Aota)

KARUIZAWA, Nagano Prefecture--To show support for greater inclusion of the LGBT community, a major business lobby will officially participate in next year’s Tokyo Rainbow Pride, one of the largest celebrations of sexual minorities in Japan.

Takeshi Niinami, chair of Keizai Doyukai (the Japan Association of Corporate Executives), announced the decision on July 7 at a business seminar here organized by the association.

“I want to help create a society where LGBTQ people are accepted as they are,” said Tamotsu Hiiro, the president of McDonald’s Holdings Co. (Japan), at a panel discussion held as part of the seminar.

On the other hand, Hiiro highlighted concerns expressed by many Japanese businesses that actions meant to support sexual minorities could trigger a customer backlash, citing the debate over how to make store toilets more inclusive.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people make up 5 to 8 percent of Japan’s population, said Fumino Sugiyama, a transgender man and a former member of the women’s national fencing team.

“This is roughly the equivalent of people with one of the most common surnames such as Sato and Suzuki,” he said, stressing that sexual minorities are by no means a negligible customer segment.

It is difficult for a single business to take supportive actions for all minorities, not just LGBT people, all at once, said Kohei Takashima, the president of Oisix ra daichi Inc., an organic food seller.

“But if member companies of the association share their experiences through Doyukai, it will be helpful for each of the firms to proceed with supportive actions one by one," he added. 

Related News