What are regional public opinions on LGBTQ+? ~ 2023 Survey: Regional Analysis and Comparison

Dentsu Inc. conducted its fifth annual "LGBTQ+ Survey 2023" last year. This series analyzes the survey results from various perspectives (previous article here ).

For this survey, to compare public opinion across Japan, the number of respondents was evenly distributed across all 47 prefectures, with 120 responses obtained from each. Kahori Kishimoto and Yū Suga from Dentsu Inc. Diversity Lab delve into the differences in the environment surrounding LGBTQ+ individuals in each prefecture.

〈Table of Contents〉
▼Which prefectures score highest in LGBTQ+ support sentiment and supportive actions?
▼Clusters more supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals tend to have higher happiness levels
▼What kind of support do LGBTQ+ individuals desire?

Which prefectures have high scores for LGBTQ+ support sentiment and supportive actions?

According to a joint survey on the nationwide partnership system conducted by Shibuya Ward and the certified NPO Rainbow Diversity, as of June 28, 2023, 328 municipalities had introduced the system, covering 70.9% of the population. As of May 31, 2023, 5,171 partnership certificates had been issued. How has this system impacted the lives and awareness of LGBTQ+ individuals and non-LGBTQ+ individuals?

(c) Shibuya Ward / Certified NPO Rainbow Diversity 2023

First, let's compare attitudes toward LGBTQ+.

We scored the average points for responses to the following five questions regarding attitudes toward LGBTQ+. When comparing by prefecture, the prefecture with the strongest public support for LGBTQ+ issues was Okinawa Prefecture (65.7 points), followed by Niigata Prefecture (63.9 points), Tokushima Prefecture (63.4 points), Kumamoto Prefecture (63.3 points), and Shimane Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture (62.4 points).

※Calculation method: Scored based on the average points for responses to the following 5 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+ individuals, 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's unfair 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.
 

Shimane Prefecture, ranked 5th this time, introduced partnership systems in all municipalities within the prefecture in October 2023 (announced in December 2022). Factors such as the prefecture's first-ever Rainbow Parade held in 2023, increased information flow due to local government system implementation, and outreach by LGBTQ+ individuals likely contributed to fostering public understanding and shaping public opinion.

*Since Shimane Prefecture introduced its partnership system in October 2023, it is marked as "Prefectures without a system" on the map of the National Partnership System Joint Survey.

Next, we compare LGBTQ+ friendly actions (actions that aim to build friendly relationships without discriminating against LGBTQ+ individuals).

The average score for responses to the following 5 questions was calculated. Comparing prefectures, Saga Prefecture (41.1 points) was found to exhibit the most LGBTQ+ friendly actions, followed by Tokushima Prefecture (40.4 points), Wakayama Prefecture (38.8 points), Kagawa Prefecture (37.1 points), and Nagano Prefecture (36.8 points).

※Calculation method: Scored based on the average points for responses to the following 5 questions
① Learning about LGBTQ+ issues isn't a burden if it makes life easier for LGBTQ+ individuals
② I consciously use gender-neutral terms like "partner" or "lover" instead of "boyfriend" or "girlfriend"
③ When someone makes discriminatory remarks or acts in front of me, I change the subject or call them out.
④ I actively gather information and listen to the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals to understand them correctly.
⑤ I share information and offer support to help create a society where LGBTQ+ individuals can live more easily.

Although the action scores are lower compared to awareness, Saga, Kagawa, and Ibaraki Prefectures—which rank in the top 10—have introduced partnership systems throughout their entire jurisdictions. This suggests that people within these prefectures may be mindful of LGBTQ+ individuals being close to them and adjusting their words and actions accordingly.

Clusters supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals tend to have higher happiness levels

Following the 2020 survey, we conducted cluster analysis on non-LGBTQ+ individuals, yielding the results shown below.

・Active Supporters (25.3%): Highly aware of issues and actively supportive. Deepened understanding through personal connections with individuals or overseas content.

・Naturally Friendly (9.3%): Low knowledge scores but relatively high awareness of issues and consideration, naturally open-minded.

・Informed Detached Group (34.6%): Possess knowledge but lack personal connection to the issue, such as having no close individuals affected. Maintain the status quo.

・Misguided Group (19.6%): Appear critical due to misconceptions, such as worrying about societal impacts like declining birth rates, but inherently 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 a problem.

・Critical opposition group (5.7%): They have a strong physiological aversion and significant concerns about societal impacts. They also show little interest in other social issues like racism or environmental problems.

Compared to the previous 2020 survey, the "Active Supporter Group" decreased from 29.4% to 25.3%, while the "Misunderstanding and Drift Group" increased from 16.2% to 19.6%. No significant changes were observed in the proportions of the other groups.

This time, we also examined the differences in happiness levels across each cluster. For happiness, we calculated the average response to the question "How happy do you feel?" on a scale of 1 (not happy at all) to 10 (very happy).

The happiness levels of the "Naturally Friendly Group" and the "Active Supporter Group" were higher than the average happiness level of 6.5 for non-parties, indicating that groups more supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals tend to have higher happiness levels.

While various factors determine happiness, a strong connection with others is said to be a significant influence. The awareness and attitude toward engaging with others who are different from oneself can impact not only the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals but also those of non-LGBTQ+ individuals.

Comparing eight regions nationwide, the "Active Supporters" were most prevalent in Kyushu and Okinawa, the "Informed Bystanders" in Kanto, and the "Misguided Followers" in Shikoku. While Hokkaido had a high proportion of "Active Supporters" in the previous survey, this survey shows increases in both "Misguided Followers" and "Informed Bystanders" in Hokkaido.

This time, we also examined the "Active Supporters," "Informed Bystanders," and "Misguided Followers"—the largest groups—by prefecture.

Comparing prefectures with the highest proportion of the "Active Supporters" group, who have a high level of awareness and actively support the cause, the top was Okinawa Prefecture (36.9%), followed by Kyoto Prefecture (34.1%), Saga Prefecture (33.4%), Kagoshima Prefecture (33.0%), and Fukuoka Prefecture (31.9%).

Among these top 10, six prefectures (Okinawa, Kyoto, Saga, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, and Miyazaki) also ranked within the top 10 for overall strong support sentiment. This suggests that a high proportion of "Active Supporters" may facilitate broader support sentiment across the entire prefecture.

Comparing prefectures with a high proportion of the "informed bystanders" group—those who possess knowledge but lack personal connection to LGBTQ+ individuals, thus viewing the issue as someone else's problem—revealed Saitama Prefecture (43.0%) at the top, followed by Shimane Prefecture (41.7%), Shiga Prefecture (41.1%), Ibaraki Prefecture (40.3%), and Toyama Prefecture (39.2%).

Given that approximately one in ten respondents in this survey identified as LGBTQ+, it would be natural to assume these individuals exist in their immediate surroundings. However, because they perceive it as someone else's problem, they may be unaware of this fact and could unknowingly hurt LGBTQ+ individuals.
 

The prefectures with the highest proportion of people who, while aware of human rights, hold misconceptions about LGBTQ+ social impact—such as believing it accelerates the declining birthrate—were Tochigi (29.9%), followed by Iwate (29.5%), Kochi (27.7%), Fukui (27.2%), and Mie and Tokushima (26.3%).

Despite Mie Prefecture having 100% population coverage for its partnership system, its high proportion of the "misconception-prone group" indicates that the challenge lies not just in introducing the system, but also in promoting accurate knowledge and understanding among non-LGBTQ+ individuals.

 

 

What kind of support do LGBTQ+ individuals want?

When LGBTQ+ individuals were asked "What efforts should be made to create a more livable city for LGBTQ+ people?", needs related to "education in schools" ranked highly (26.6 points). This reveals that many people recognize the challenge of raising awareness and spreading knowledge about LGBTQ+ issues within educational settings.

Among non-LGBTQ+ individuals, the highest score was also for "school education (27.3 points)," indicating that efforts in school education are desired by both LGBTQ+ individuals and non-LGBTQ+ individuals.

While enacting ordinances to protect LGBTQ+ individuals and improving facilities like public restrooms are frequently discussed and important initiatives, both groups highlighted a lack of opportunities to accurately understand why these measures are necessary for LGBTQ+ individuals in the first place.

Comparing responses to the question "Have you been taught about 'sexual diversity,' including LGBTQ+ topics, in school education?" by region, the highest rate was in the Kinki region, where only 9.8pt (less than 10%) answered "Yes."

The partnership system is gaining traction, with a population coverage rate exceeding 70%. However, even as the system spreads, acquiring knowledge about why it is necessary and what challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face remains essential. In a society flooded with biased or incorrect information, establishing environments where accurate knowledge can be reliably accessed brings us one step closer to a society where everyone, including LGBTQ+ individuals, can live more easily.

[Survey Overview]
"Dentsu Inc. LGBTQ+ Survey 2023" Overview
Survey Sponsor: dJ Sustainability Promotion Office
Survey Cooperation: Dentsu Inc. Diversity Lab

<Screening Survey>
&nbsp;Survey Participants: 57,500 individuals aged 20–59
&nbsp;Survey Area: Nationwide
&nbsp;Survey Period: June 14–19, 2023
&nbsp;Survey Method: Online survey

<Main Survey>
&nbsp;Survey Participants: 6,240 individuals aged 20–59 (600 LGBTQ+ individuals / 5,640 non-LGBTQ+ individuals)
&nbsp;Survey Area: Nationwide
&nbsp;Survey Period: June 14–19, 2023
&nbsp;Survey Method: Online survey

*Weighting was applied by prefecture, gender, and age group (20s-30s / 40s-50s) to align the proportion of LGBTQ+ individuals with the population composition.
*Weighting was not applied to data regarding parents of LGBTQ+ individuals due to the small number of responses.
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