Dentsu Inc. Diversity Lab conducted the "LGBT Survey 2018"

The text of the Dentsu Inc. news release distributed on January 10 is as follows.

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January 10, 2019

― 8.9% of people identify as LGBT, with approximately 70% awareness of the term "LGBT" ―

Dentsu Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshihiro Yamamoto (Dentsu Inc.) conducted a comprehensive survey in October 2018 targeting 60,000 individuals aged 20 to 59 nationwide regarding sexual minorities, including LGBT individuals (hereinafter referred to as the "LGBT demographic"). The results showed that 8.9% of respondents identified as belonging to the LGBT group, and the term "LGBT" had a penetration rate of 68.5%.

Furthermore, this "LGBT Survey 2018" also examined trends in favorability and acceptance toward the LGBT population by gender and age group, workplace environments, the influence of media, and opinions on government policy development.

While we conducted LGBT surveys in 2012 and 2015, we decided to conduct a new survey this time in light of the upcoming major international sporting event, the enactment of an ordinance in Tokyo prohibiting discrimination based on SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity), and the progress being made in promoting understanding and establishing systems in various workplaces.

This release introduces some of the findings from the survey.

For this survey, sexuality was classified based on the combination of three elements: "physical sex," "gender identity," and "sexual orientation." Using DDL's proprietary "Sexuality Map," we defined the LGBT population as those who did not identify as straight (heterosexual individuals whose assigned sex at birth matches their gender identity = 2 and 10).

1. LGBT population ratio: 8.9%

・The proportion of people identifying as LGBT was 8.9% (2012 survey(※1): 5.2%, 2015 survey: 7.6%).

・The main factors contributing to the increase since the 2015 survey are believed to be progress in general understanding due to increased information about LGBT issues and a higher proportion of younger respondents in the survey sample, who tend to have greater understanding of LGBT issues.

※1: The 2012 survey's questioning method differed from those of 2015 and 2018, making direct comparison impossible.

2. Awareness of the term "LGBT" is approximately 70%

・The 2018 survey showed 68.5%, a significant increase of 30.9 percentage points from the 37.6% in the 2015 survey. Particularly among women (70.9% of women vs. 66.2% of men) and younger age groups (70.6% of those in their 20s vs. 69.2% of those in their 30s, 68.3% of those in their 40s, and 66.7% of those in their 50s), a stronger trend of awareness was observed. (Graph 1)

・76.0% of respondents indicated they not only recognize the term "LGBT" but also possess a "correct understanding of LGBT issues." (Graph 2)

[Graph 1]
Do you know that LGBT is one of the collective terms for sexual minorities?

[Graph 2]
Would you like to gain a correct understanding of LGBT issues to avoid causing discomfort to LGBT individuals?

3. Room for Improvement in Workplace Environment

・Regarding "coming out to workplace colleagues (including superiors and subordinates),"

50.7% felt hesitant, while only 21.1% felt no hesitation. (Graph 3)

[Graph 3]
Do you feel hesitant about coming out as an LGBT person to your workplace colleagues (including superiors and subordinates)?

[Graph 4]
Does your company have support systems in place regarding sexual diversity?

・Furthermore, over half (54.5%) of LGBT individuals responded that "their workplace lacks support systems" (※2), while only 5.5% of LGBT individuals felt their workplace had "sufficient support systems." (Graph 4)

※2: Examples of workplace support systems: Benefits such as spousal allowances extended to same-sex marriages, internal events/study sessions promoting LGBT understanding, installation of gender-neutral restrooms accessible to transgender individuals, etc.

4.Over 70% support the creation of legal systems by national and local governments

・78.4% support "same-sex marriage," recognized in many developed countries. Support is higher among women (87.9%) than men (69.2%), and increases with younger age groups (87.3% in their 20s, 72.5% in their 50s). (Graph 5)

・82.7% of people support Tokyo's ordinance prohibiting discrimination against LGBT individuals (※3). Furthermore, 72.1% believe "more legal frameworks should be established" nationwide. (Graphs 6, 7)

[Graph 5]
Same-sex marriage is beginning to be recognized in many developed countries. Please share your opinion on the legalization of same-sex marriage.

[Graph 6]
Tokyo aims to fully implement an ordinance in April 2019 that seeks to eliminate discrimination against LGBT individuals and eradicate hate speech. What are your thoughts on this?

[Graph 7]
Do you think Japan should strengthen its legal framework to eliminate discrimination against LGBT individuals?

※3: Tokyo Metropolitan Ordinance: An Ordinance Aiming to Realize the Principle of Respect for Human Rights Stated in the Tokyo Olympic Charter

URL: http://www.soumu.metro.tokyo.jp/10jinken/tobira/pdf/regulations-summary.pdf

 

＜Preliminary Screening Survey Overview＞
・Survey Participants: 60,000 individuals aged 20–59
・Survey Area: Nationwide
・Survey Period: Friday, October 26, 2018 to Monday, October 29, 2018
・Survey Method: Internet survey

 

<DENTSU Inc. LGBT Survey 2018 Overview>
・Survey Participants: 6,229 individuals aged 20–59
(589 LGBT individuals / 5,640 straight individuals)
・Survey Area: Nationwide
・Survey Period: October 26 (Fri) to 29 (Mon), 2018
・Survey Method: Online survey

End

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Dentsu Inc. News Release
http://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2019/0110-009728.html