At the end of February, Japanese electronics giant Panasonic, announced that employees working for the company who have entered into a same-sex partnership would, going forward, receive the same benefits as traditional married employees. As a sponsor for the 2020 Olympics, the company must comply with the Olympic Carter that prohibits all forms of discrimination, especially those based on sexual orientation. Panasonic’s move serves to illustrate how the country’s business culture is evolving especially as regards promoting diversity in the workplace and fighting discrimination.
This announcement caused a stir with the national media, as Panasonic, which employs more than 250,000, is known to be one of the most conservatively managed businesses in Japan. The decision will offer certain benefits to same-sex couples, including the marriage bonus payment, a bonus payment made upon the birth of a child, a ‘setting up home together’ payment, health insurance benefits as well as a ‘far from home’ payment when an employee has to work far from his/her own home. Same–sex couple
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