Business Support for LGBT Equality in Japan
Declaration of Support
We, the undersigned companies, recognize the broad public and political support in Japan forchanges to the nation’s laws that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation orgender identity and contribute to an inclusive society where everyone is treated equally.
Actions by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Human Rights Ordinance, the TOCOG
Human Rights, Labor, and Participation Committee letter ruling all point to an evolution inJapanese society. As companies that believe strongly in the equal treatment of people
regardless of sexual orientation, we are proud to add our support for Legislative Activities ofthe Japanese Diet with a goal of passing an LGBT Equality Act.
Background1.

LGBT rights are good for business
Many leading global corporations support the human rights of LGBT individuals. The UN has
developed Standards of Conduct for Business to tackle discrimination against lesbian, gay,bisexual, transgender and intersex people, an elaboration on the Guiding Principles on Businessand Human Rights, endorsed by the Human Rights Council in 2011. Research shows that open,inclusive and diverse societies are better for economic growth, and that discrimination on thebasis of sexual orientation or gender identity undercuts prospects for business success. A WorldBank study suggests that LGBT exclusion may cause economic losses and negatively affect
GDP.

2.

Working conditions in Japan
A report commissioned by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and released in2020 found that 36.4% of lesbian, gay, or bisexual individuals and 54.5% of transgenderindividuals experienced difficulties in workplace due to their sexual orientation or genderidentity. At the same time, 60.5% of LGBT employees said that fair treatment created “places
where it is easy to work.” The International Labour Organization (ILO) finds staff retention isincreased when policies are in place to protect LGBT people from discrimination.

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3.

Approaches by corporations in Japan
A variety of corporate approaches have developed within Japan in response to calls from thepublic, including the LGBT community. For example, many corporations have formulated
policies, launched training and educational programs, established consultation frameworks, andintroduced social welfare initiatives, to combat discrimination and foster inclusion. The JapanBusiness Federation (Keidanren), Japan’s largest economic organization, has recommended
these approaches to its member corporations and workplace environments have steadily
improved.

4.

Labor law in Japan
Japan is not currently providing adequate protection to LGBT employees. In 2019, Japan
amended its labor policy law to prevent workplace harassment, but the law is limited in scopeand protections. The law comes into effect in stages, beginning with large corporations in June
2020 and extending to small and medium sized enterprises in June 2022. Companies arerequired to take actions such as establishing rules to prohibit harassment and provide support toemployees who experience harassment. However, this law only mandates the prevention of“harassment” and is not an inclusive law protecting individuals from discrimination based on
SOGI. According to a 2020 survey on LGBT inclusive legislation, Japan ranks second from theworst amongst the 35 member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment (OECD).

5.

Employment non-discrimination laws in international perspective
As of 2019, more than 80 countries have outlawed employment discrimination based on sexualorientation, including all EU member states. In 2020, the US Supreme Court ruled that ‘sex
discrimination’ included sexual orientation and gender identity, thereby extending protection toLGBT employees across all 50 states.

6.

Growing support for the LGBT Equality Act in Japan
According to a 2020 survey conducted by researchers in Japan, 87.7% of respondents “agreeor somewhat agree” with the “introduction of laws or ordinances that ban bullying anddiscrimination (in relation to sexual minorities).” Significantly, the survey shows high levels ofsupport (80% or more) across all age groups.

In sum, business worldwide thrives in inclusive settings. We support the current efforts toprotect the rights of LGBT people through the Japanese Diet’s introduction of the Equality
Act. Doing so would show that Japan is truly “open for business.” as it would take a vitalstep towards a society where all individuals can prosper and engage in their vocations basedon equal treatment for all.

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