Panasonic, the Japanese electronics producer and one of the Olympic Games’ biggest sponsors, announces sweeping policy changes.
LGBT rights in Japan have been in the headlines quite a bit the last few years, but today it looks like the LGBT community can count another win: Osaka-based Panasonic has announced that they will begin recognizing same-sex marriages starting in April.
According to the Mainichi Shinbun, the company has received numerous requests for this policy change from employees in addition to facing pressure as an Olympics sponsor — the Olympics Charter forbids discrimination of any kind, including discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The changes are currently being implemented and will mostly involve rewriting work regulation definitions for “marriage,” “spouse,” and so on. Additionally, employees will be able to take special leave for weddings and funerals and enroll their spouses in the company welfare program. Panasonic will also be including a rule against discrimination based on sexual orientation in their conduct guidelines, which affect the company’s nearly 250,000 employees both domestically and internationally.
One issue Panasonic is currently working out is determining what exactly constitutes marriage in Japan for same-sex couples. Only a handful of districts in the country will legally marry LGBT couples, though other companies, such as IBM, have established protocols, so we’re pretty sure Panasonic can figure something out.
Source: Mainichi Shinbun, Niconico News, Huffington Post Japan
Featured image: Wikipedia/Pokarin
Kirin beer company toasts same-sex marriages for its employees
Same-sex couples take Japanese government to court, request constitutional marriage rights
Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward to begin legally recognizing same-sex partnerships
Same-sex couples to be recognized in Sapporo, Japanese city with population of around two million
Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward to offer marriage certificates to same-sex couples
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Foreign man arrested for walking on Shinkansen tracks, claims he was on the run from yakuza
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
We go behind the scenes at Japan Airlines’ in-flight meal factory【Photos】
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
Schoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture
Can the powers of the Tokyo area’s literal money-laundering shrine make us rich? We find out
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Okinawa’s capital city Naha officially recognizes same-sex partnerships
Japan releases results of its first national same-sex marriage survey
Takarazuka becomes fourth Japanese municipality to recognize same-sex partnerships
Judge rules Japanese government rejecting same-sex marriage applications is unconstitutional
Anger sparks as Tokyo politician claims “legally protecting lesbians and gays will ruin district”