The Asahi Shimbun Co. Sponsors 'Pride Action 30' to Promote LGBTQ+ Understanding and Support

The Asahi Shimbun Co. (President and CEO: Katsu Tsunoda) will sponsor 'Pride Action 30' for the first time this year, a corporate project aimed at expanding understanding and support for diverse sexualities, including LGBTQ+. The project is a joint initiative by the NPO Pride House Tokyo and Panasonic Connect Co., Ltd. In line with Pride Month in June, it aims to promote understanding throughout society through actions that can be practiced in daily life and the workplace. It is a project aimed at advancing the creation of a work environment that is comfortable for minorities, including LGBTQ+ individuals. During the one-month Pride Month period, participating companies present 30 actions that demonstrate understanding and support for LGBTQ+, encouraging individual action. The Asahi Shimbun has continuously reported on and disseminated information regarding gender and diverse sexuality issues. In 2021, it launched the 'Think Gender' page on its digital edition, and in 2023, it established a 'Think Gender' page in the Wednesday evening edition, continuing to develop series based on the theme of 'a society where people can live as themselves regardless of gender.' This initiative originated from 'Dear Girls,' a project launched by volunteer reporters, editors, and designers in response to the World Economic Forum's 2016 Gender Gap Index ranking, which placed Japan 111th out of 144 countries. As they continued to report on various gender-related issues, the project evolved into 'Think Gender' in 2021 to better value diversity from multiple perspectives. It continues to provide information from diverse viewpoints, including issues in the sports world, LGBTQ+ themes, and interviews with stakeholders and experts. In April of this year, the 'Think Gender Forum' was launched for journalists and creators to learn from each other, with a seminar scheduled for July. Beyond reporting, the company is also focusing on supporting its employees. Since 2016, it has been revising regulations to allow same-sex partners to use internal welfare systems in the same way as legal spouses. The 'Asahi Shimbun Code of Conduct' stipulates respect for employee personality and the creation of a discrimination-free workplace. Benefits now include marriage leave, single-transfer allowances, and self-improvement leave for accompanying a spouse on overseas assignments. This was triggered by proposals for LGBTQ+-friendly internal systems from cross-departmental teams of young employees. The company has installed 'all-gender restrooms' and conducts internal training on LGBT/SOGI issues and the risks of outing due to lack of understanding. To ensure diversity from within, The Asahi Shimbun has set its own numerical targets. In April 2020, it formulated the 'Gender Equality Declaration' and has published its achievement rate every year since. It sets indicators for figures appearing in the 'Hito' column of the morning edition and speakers at major symposiums such as the 'Asahi World Forum,' aiming for neither gender to fall below 40%. In 2022, it also formulated the 'Gender Equality Declaration +' to foster female leaders. Through its sponsorship of 'Pride Action 30,' The Asahi Shimbun will further contribute to promoting understanding throughout society. It will continue to respect the diversity of each employee and create a comfortable working environment.