Jeremy Sampson, CEO North East Asia, Robert Walters

We strive to create a culture where everyone feels they can be there true selves in the workplace and where everyone has access to the same opportunities. It is important not only because it’s simply the right thing to do, but because it also has a hugely positive impact on the company culture, diversity, innovation, hiring and retention and ultimately strengthens the organization as a whole.

Junny Foo, Tokyo, Robert Walters

Being LGBTQ+ inclusive in a corporate setting means that your LGBTQ+ employees feel comfortable being themselves and do their daily work without the stress, anxiety or worry of perhaps someday someone finding out a part of who they are that would hinder their career at the company. It is really not a rocket science to create a LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace as it all comes down to educating the people and fostering a understanding & accepting attitude toward people different from ourselves. At the end of the day, LGBTQ+ employees just want the same rights to not being judged for who they are or being discriminated against when they come into work, it is never about special rights.

Monica Gonzalez, Osaka, Robert Walters

To me, inclusivity does not necessarily mean allyship, but being LGBTQ+ inclusive is like the minimum acceptable step. It allows others to feel “it is OK for me to be here.” To me, being LGBTQ+ inclusive means: public support of the community and the various categories or identities within; education of others and of self, and increasing awareness at every opportunity; lack of retaliation against or discrimination of community members due to identity disclosure BUT clear and impactful admonishing of behavior or actions that are discriminatory or retaliative or otherwise harmful; and in the case of an organization, revisions of policies to ensure all possible equal access to resources, benefits, and status.

Michael Thompson, Tokyo, Robert Walters
Firstly, it’s important for me that I help create an environment where all of our employees feel safe in the workplace. I have observed colleagues from the LGBTQ community face challenges that I do not, and part of my role as a leader is to support & empower those people in any way I can. It’s clear to me that employees who can bring their authentic selves to work can bring their full-selves to work, for the better of the organisation and our customers.

As an ally & a leader I strive to create an environment where everyone can achieve their potential. Creating an equitable and inclusive environment is an essential step in that process.

Isamu Itosu, Tokyo, Robert Walters
For me LGBTQ+ inclusion, means to provide equal opportunities regarding access but also human/professional development within the organization, to a group that has been systematically discriminated/excluded like us LGBTQ+.

Finance Director – Asia, Robert Walters
Being LGBTQ+ inclusive is important to me as an individual as I’ve been raised in a very traditional and non-diverse environment and been surprised even shocked when I was teenager by the lack of tolerance and the judgement of others about the LGBTQ community. This feeling grew through the years, especially in the recent years when my daughter, who is now teenager, shared with us that she was lesbian. My belief in inclusivity became even stronger and more vital, and I want to support her and help create for her a society where she can grow safely and she could be herself without having to hide her identity.

Hiroki Takahashi, Tokyo, Robert Walters
To me being LGBTQ inclusive means every sexual minority can be who we truly are and feel full psychological safety without any fear or embarrassment. And this safeness applies to not only sexual minorities but also any types of backgrounds/minorities.

Mae Daigo, Tokyo, Robert Walters
Striving to be LGBTQ+ inclusive gives us a broader view on everything. My LGBTQ friends and colleagues often share unique and original ideas, and taught me not to judge a book by its cover when I was younger. Now I am a proud Ally.

Nikita Batra, Tokyo, Robert Walters
To me a truly inclusive environment for LGBTQIA folks is more than just hollow promises and words but deliverable and actionable points to ensure folks are not singled out for their identity. Continuous effort to make workplaces inclusive is to foster an environment that encourages holistic changes in people’s attitudes towards a community.

Brenda Zavala, Tokyo, Robert Walters
Inclusion to me means growth and care for others. It’s very easy to shun people for being different, as it’s part of human nature. The fact that society can grow to a point where we are not only supporting those that are different but also accommodating their specific needs is a kindness that renews my faith in humanity.

Aoi Sugimoto, Tokyo, Robert Walters
I grew up with my younger brother, who is gay, and I also work together at RW with several gay or lesbian colleagues. I simply want everyone, including LGBTQ+ individuals, around me to be happy and not feel judged for who they are. I want them to be true to themselves. When people are honest with themselves, others tend to follow, uniting us as a team and strengthening our bonds. Being open with each other helps eliminate misunderstandings and prejudices.

With over half of our employees being foreigners from diverse cultures, we have learned to work together despite our differences since joining Robert Walters.

As an LGBTQ+ ally, I hope we can be an example and inspire an inclusive and forward-thinking workplace.

Mourad Lahdil, Head of Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Suntory Holdings Limited
First of all, it’s important to remember that LGBTQ+ individuals are not distant others; we are your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours. We all have LGBTQ+ people in our lives, whether we are aware of it or not.
Secondly, embracing inclusivity is not just a moral imperative but an opportunity for personal growth and greater understanding. In this era of constant change and discontinuity, the LGBTQ+ community’s extraordinary resilience holds invaluable lessons for the world. Their unwavering strength in the face of adversity is a powerful inspiration for all to embrace diversity, acceptance, and empathy.

Motoki Okochi, President of Kenzo Paris Japan KK
As the head of a company, I would like to maintain a work environment where all our employees feel and are safe regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, etc, and freely voice their needs and opinions. Diversity is a great asset for a company. It brings us more experience, more skills, more ideas, more solutions. There are still a large number of LGBTQ+ people who have to fight back prejudice and discrimination or simply give in and hide themselves in the society of Japan, which should end in the very near future.

As a gay person with a same-sex husband, we cannot have the same right or legal protection in the society of Japan. For us to live in Japan together and protect each other, the law should include and treat all of us equally and this is something I would like to advocate until it changes.