Neuromagic expressed our support for “Business for Marriage Equality (BME)” in December 2024. As part of this initiative, we participated as a supporting company in the “work with Pride 2026 Conference Vol. 1,” held at the Keidanren Kaikan on June 30, 2026 (Tue).

The theme of this event was “What companies can do for marriage equality (same-sex marriage).” With the Supreme Court ruling on the same-sex marriage lawsuit expected as early as this year, leaders from various sectors engaged in passionate discussions on what companies should do in preparation for legalization.

In this report, along with the contents of the day, we will share what Neuromagic intends to work on in the future to promote DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion).

Conference Report

On the day, speakers from diverse sectors, including lawyers, corporate executives, economic organizations, and labor unions, gathered to conduct four programs.

1. The current state of the “Freedom of Marriage for All” lawsuit

Speaker：

・Makiko Terahara (Co-representative of the Public Interest Incorporated Association “Marriage For All Japan – Freedom of Marriage for All” / Lawyer)

In the first keynote, Makiko Terahara reported on the current status of same-sex marriage lawsuits progressing nationwide. Currently, many high courts have issued judgments declaring the current law unconstitutional, and with the case referred to the Grand Bench of the Supreme Court, there is a possibility that a unified judgment will be issued within the year.

What was impressive was the words of the concerned parties, “This trial is saving many lives.” Introducing these words, Ms. Terahara emphasized that this is a matter concerning individual dignity.

When legal reform is realized, practical responses, such as reviewing the definition of “spouse” in company work rules, will become important in the future. However, “acting not after legal reform, but acting even before legal reform.” Hearing Ms. Terahara’s talk, I strongly felt that acting early in this way helps to push the change toward an equal society.

2. What companies can do with an eye on marriage equality (legalization of same-sex marriage)

Speakers：

・Kenji Iwase (Take and Give Needs Co., Ltd.)
・Maki Muraki (NPO Nijiiro Diversity)
・Yuichi Kamiya (Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation)
・Naosuke Fujita (LLAN – Moderator)

This was a session where the importance of companies taking the lead in preparation rather than waiting for legalization was discussed.

Kenji Iwase, who has been doing LGBTQ+ wedding planning for over 10 years, said that it is necessary for business operators to create an environment where concerned parties can feel free to consult and feel positively that they too are allowed to be celebrated. Especially impressive was the remark by a transgender student: “I just want to be happy, but there is no place where I can be happy.”

Not having prejudice does not mean understanding, and just because you don’t discriminate doesn’t mean it’s fine. Creating an environment where anyone can live with peace of mind, not superficially but essentially. I keenly felt that this is what we as companies should work on. In addition, the “Same-sex Marriage Action Plan Worksheet” announced on the day showed concrete actions that companies should consider before and after legalization.

3. What is the collaboration realized across sectors?

Speakers：

・Miko Oyama (Keidanren)
・Keiko Tashiro (Keizai Doyukai / Daiwa Securities Group)
・Kaoru Hatakeyama (RENGO)
・Gon Matsunaka (work with Pride – Moderator)

Representatives from Keidanren, Keizai Doyukai, and RENGO took the stage and shared their respective initiatives.

It was impressive that the point was emphasized that corporate engagement in DEI is a “management issue” itself that leads to the acquisition of excellent human resources, response to business and human rights, and the opening of new markets.

Advancing DEI initiatives leads to becoming a company that can be trusted even when viewed from the outside. First, deepen understanding of DEI within the organization and have it permeate. I keenly felt that this becomes a culture, and eventually leads to trust from the outside.

4. Future with marriage equality as told by corporate executives

Speakers：

・Danny Taing (Bokksu Inc.)
・Shiho Shimoyamada (wagamama Co., Ltd.)
・Moriyuki Kida (EY Japan)
・Kaoru Okabayashi (Shiseido – Moderator)

Corporate executives with various backgrounds took the stage and discussed the roles companies should play in the future with marriage equality.

Ms. Shimoyamada, a former soccer player, said that the reason why her performance was best when she was playing in Germany was largely because “it was an environment where I could come out.” By having an environment where one can come out with peace of mind, performance improves. All speakers appealed for the importance of an environment with psychological safety as managers.

To enable concerned parties to work comfortably with peace of mind, companies need to keep sending out messages. It was passionately stated that it is important for top executives to continue sending a clear message that “creating an environment where diverse human resources can play an active role is essential for company growth.”

What we felt through the conference

What was commonly spoken throughout the four programs was the stance of “companies acting first rather than waiting for the law to change” and the idea that “an environment where one can be themselves with peace of mind draws out the maximum power of individuals and organizations.”

Promotion of DEI is a “management strategy to protect individual dignity and create an organization where everyone can demonstrate their best performance,” exceeding the framework of simple welfare or compliance.

What Neuromagic wants to utilize and work on in the future

Neuromagic has always aimed to create new values by having members with diverse backgrounds work together. Taking advantage of what we learned this time, we would like to promote the following initiatives:

Further fostering of “psychological safety”

Continuously update internal communication and systems so that all members, regardless of whether they have come out, can work with peace of mind as their “true selves.”

Promoting internal action with an eye on legalization

While referring to the “Action Plan Creation Worksheet,” we will continuously consider what revisions are necessary for our company’s regulations and systems, taking into account the trends in legal systems including same-sex marriage.

Collaboration with society and partner companies

We aim to be a company that can share the importance of DEI not only within our company but also with the clients and partner companies we work with, and have a positive impact on society as a whole.

Neuromagic wants to continue to be a trusted company by providing an environment where everyone can work and take on challenges with peace of mind. As an experience agency that turns diversity into power and provides value to society, we will continue to pursue appropriate solutions.

If you are interested in Neuromagic’s DEI initiatives, please contact us here