Metropolitan Areas: "Knowledgeable but Detached" Groups? Rural Areas: "Misinformed and Influenced" Groups? ⁉ LGBTQ+ Survey 2020: Regional Analysis and Comparison

The Dentsu Inc. Diversity Lab, which researches the field of Diversity & Inclusion (an approach that respects each person's diverse individuality and aims for the social participation of all), conducted a large-scale survey on sexual minorities, including LGBTQ+, titled "LGBTQ+ Survey 2020 " in December 2020.

To compare public opinion across Japan, this survey evenly distributed samples across all 47 prefectures, obtaining 120 responses from each. This series examines the latest trends in LGBTQ+ issues. In this installment, Taeko Yoshimoto, a researcher at the lab, analyzes LGBTQ+ public opinion by region.

Analysis ①: Partnership Systems Are Changing Straight People's Perceptions Too

According to a joint survey on nationwide partnership systems conducted by Shibuya Ward and Rainbow Diversity, as of October 11, 2021, 130 municipalities had introduced such systems, covering 41.1% of the population. The number of registrations reached 2,277 couples as of September 30, 2021. How are these initiatives influencing attitudes across prefectures?

First, we compared responses to the question "Did you understand the meaning of LGBT?" among those who answered "Yes" or "Somewhat." The highest rate was in Kyoto Prefecture (87.3%), followed by Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefectures (86.9%), and Okinawa Prefecture (85.7%). The lowest rate was in Fukushima Prefecture, at only 65.8%.

Next, we compared LGBTQ+ support sentiment.

We scored the average points from responses to the following 5 questions regarding attitudes toward LGBTQ+. Comparing by prefecture, the prefecture with the strongest LGBTQ+ support opinion was Okinawa Prefecture (66.2 points), followed by Kyoto Prefecture (61.6 points), Yamagata Prefecture (61.2 points), Wakayama Prefecture (60.7 points), and Miyazaki Prefecture (59.7 points).

Calculation Method: Scored based on the average points for responses to the following five questions
① I think it's important to create an environment where everyone, including LGBTQ+ people, can live with peace of mind
② I want to correctly understand LGBTQ+ issues to avoid causing discomfort to LGBTQ+ individuals
③ I think people with diverse sexualities, including LGBTQ+, should have their basic human rights respected and be treated equally
④Discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace and society still exists today, so I believe it should be improved.
⑤It is unreasonable that same-sex couples cannot have the same rights as opposite-sex partners, such as marriage and joint custody, so I believe this should be improved.

We also compared the same analysis between heterosexual respondents who said their municipality has a partnership system and those who said it does not.

The results showed a gap of about 10 points: 54.8 points among those living in municipalities without partnership systems versus 64.6 points among those living in municipalities with such systems. Partnership systems appear effective not only for those directly affected but also in changing the attitudes of straight people living in those areas.

※Straight individuals: Defined as heterosexual people whose assigned sex at birth aligns with their gender identity.

Analysis ②: Cluster Analysis - Metropolitan Areas Have More "Informed Bystanders," Rural Areas Have More "Misguided Followers"

Next, as explained in Part 2 of this series, this survey—which began in 2012—conducted its first cluster analysis of the heterosexual population's attitudes toward LGBTQ+. We prepared dozens of questions about attitudes and knowledge toward LGBTQ+ for 5,685 straight individuals aged 20-59. We analyzed responses based on five factors—awareness of issues, consideration, physiological aversion, concern about social impact, and knowledge—and grouped them into six clusters. This time, we compare these clusters across different regions.

・Active Supporters (29.4%): High awareness of issues and proactive support. Understanding deepened through personal connections with LGBTQ+ individuals or exposure to international content.

・Naturally Friendly Group (9.2%): Low knowledge scores, but relatively high awareness of issues and consideration, naturally open-minded.

・Knowledgeable Detached Group (34.1%): Possess knowledge but lack personal connection to individuals, resulting in no trigger for feeling concern. Status quo supporters.

・Misguided Critics (16.2%): Appear critical due to misconceptions (e.g., worrying about negative societal impacts like declining birth rates), but fundamentally possess human rights awareness.

・Avoidance group (5.4%): They don't actively criticize, but they lack consideration and avoid involvement. They have some knowledge but don't perceive it as an issue.

・Critical Anti-Layer (5.7%): Exhibits significant physiological aversion and strong concerns about societal impacts. Also shows little interest in other social issues like racial discrimination or environmental problems.

Comparing the Greater Tokyo Area (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba) with other prefectures, the Greater Tokyo Area has a relatively higher proportion of the "Knowledgeable Bystanders," while other prefectures have a relatively higher proportion of the "Misinformed and Passive Group."

Comparing the 8 regions (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu/Okinawa), Hokkaido and Kyushu/Okinawa had relatively more "Active Supporters," while Kanto had relatively more "Knowledgeable Bystanders" and Chubu had relatively more "Misinformed Followers."

People in metropolitan areas tend to have knowledge but relatively low awareness of the issues and are often indifferent. In regional areas, while many people view the issues as personally relevant and have a strong sense of responsibility to support solutions, the challenge appears to be that relatively accurate knowledge has not permeated sufficiently.

Among the six clusters, we examine the "Active Supporters," "Knowledgeable Bystanders," and "Misinformed Followers" – groups that constitute a large proportion of the Straight group – by prefecture.

First, the "Active Supporters" group, characterized by high awareness of the issue and a proactive stance toward support, was highest in Kumamoto Prefecture (38.7%), followed by Hokkaido (37.8%) and Oita Prefecture (36.7%). Looking at the eight regions, Hokkaido and Kyushu/Okinawa scored high, suggesting these prefectures and regions have relatively more people who perceive the issue as their own and are willing to support it.

Hokkaido and all prefectures in Kyushu are home to municipalities that have established partnership systems. It is thought that awareness of the issue was raised by these local government initiatives, and that discussions surrounding the introduction of the systems, along with the resulting increase in information, contributed to the stronger support mindset.

Next, the "informed but detached group"—those who possess knowledge but lack personal connection to the issue, viewing it as someone else's problem—showed the highest percentages in Kanagawa Prefecture (48.0%), followed by Akita Prefecture (43.9%) and Shimane Prefecture (39.8%). Tokyo also registered a high 39.4%, indicating relatively high levels in the greater Tokyo area.

These areas may show a tendency to have low community awareness, where people encounter LGBTQ+ information but show little interest unless it directly relates to them. These prefectures and areas likely need opportunities to share challenges and help people feel personally connected.

Finally, we examine the "misconception-influenced group," who possess a basic awareness of human rights but harbor many misunderstandings, such as concerns about negative societal impacts like declining birth rates. The highest percentage was in Yamanashi Prefecture (23.5%), followed by Kochi Prefecture (23.1%), and Shiga and Nara Prefectures (22.7%). The Chubu and Kinki regions showed relatively high results.

In these prefectures and areas, disseminating accurate knowledge could lead to improved public opinion. We hope for greater information dissemination from the media, as well as lectures and training programs.

 

Analysis ③: Voices of Those Affected: How Easy Is It to Come Out?

As introduced in the first installment of this series, a survey of 60,000 individuals aged 20-59 found that 8.9% (approximately 1 in 11 people) identified as LGBTQ+. However, when asked if they had someone close to them (family, friends, acquaintances) who was LGBTQ+, only 24.9% nationwide responded affirmatively. Comparing across 8 regions, Kyushu/Okinawa had the highest rate (27.2%), while Chubu had the lowest (21.0%). Comparing the Tokyo metropolitan area with other prefectures, the rate was 27.9% in the metropolitan area versus 23.7% in other prefectures, showing a slight gap.

Furthermore, when asked, "Have you come out as LGBT (disclosed your sexuality to others using your real name)?" a comparison between the Tokyo metropolitan area and other prefectures revealed that while 56.3% of respondents outside the metropolitan area had not come out, only 50.1% in the metropolitan area had not, indicating slightly more progress in coming out within the metropolitan area.

A similar trend was observed in the previous 2018 survey. In less populated rural areas, communities are smaller, and once someone comes out, rumors can spread quickly, making it difficult to live there. Such factors may be contributing to hesitation about coming out.

Analysis ④: What is Needed from Local Governments

Finally, when asked what they would like local governments to work on to make their communities more livable, the most common responses were improvements in awareness, such as "education in schools" and "changing the mindset of local residents." This was followed by answers like "improving facilities" and "enacting ordinances to protect rights." For those directly affected, creating livable communities requires two key elements: "changing mindsets" and "improving facilities and legal systems."

This analysis shows that partnership systems contribute not only to the needs of those directly affected but also to changing community attitudes. The partnership system, which began in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo in 2015, has rapidly expanded, with municipalities now covering 41.1% of the population enacting similar systems. This suggests it contributes to increased awareness and understanding. Expectations are high for future municipal initiatives to create livable cities where everyone is treated equally.

＜Preliminary Screening Survey Overview＞
・ Survey Participants: 60,000 individuals aged 20–59
・ Survey Area: Nationwide
・ Survey Period: December 17-18, 2020
・ Survey Method: Internet survey

＜Dentsu Inc. LGBTQ+ Survey 2020 Overview＞
・ Survey Participants: 6,240 individuals aged 20–59 (555 LGBTQ+ individuals / 5,685 straight individuals)
・ Survey Area: Nationwide
・ Survey Period: December 17–18, 2020
・ Survey Method: Online survey

* Weighting was applied by prefecture, gender, and age group (20s-30s / 40s-50s) to match the proportion of LGBTQ+ individuals and the overall population distribution.