PR Consulting Dentsu Inc. (PRCD), Japan’s leading public relations consultancy, was awarded the Gold rating from PRIDE Index 2024 for the company’s efforts to promote inclusion of LGBTQ and other sexual minorities (LGBTQ+) in the workplace. This marks the fourth consecutive year the company has participated in the evaluation and second consecutive year the company has received the Gold rating.

First formulated in 2016 by ‘work with PRIDE’, a Japanese non-profit entity that promotes diversity management, the annual PRIDE Index appraises the performance of companies and organizations at creating a working environment where everyone can be themselves, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Participating organizations are assessed according to the five criteria below and granted gold, silver, and bronze recognition depending on how successfully they meet each indicator.

1. Policy
2. Representation
3. Inspiration
4. Development
5. Engagement/Empowerment

Over the years, PRCD has conducted LGBTQ+ seminars for employees, training for HR personnel, employee awareness surveys, set up a consulting hotline with a legal specialist and partnered with General Incorporated Association Famiee to offer pro bono support to increase awareness of different family styles such as same-sex marriage.

In 2022, employees formed a company-sanctioned ally network and brought onto its board an LGBTQ+ advisor, conducting workshops and leveraging email newsletters to raise awareness. In June, Pride Month, PRCD hosted Online PRIDE, an event for Dentsu group employees, alongside three other Dentsu Japan companies.

In 2023, PRCD updated the family benefits and welfare programs to include same-sex partners. Additionally, the company shared guidelines for LGBTQ+ guidelines and coming out during hiring interviews with employees.

This year, PRCD created and started using guidelines to check for matters requiring consideration, such as chronic illnesses, disabilities, gender identity, and family care to create a more comfortable working environment for newly hired employees. In the future, the company plans to expand this to all employees.

PRCD President and CEO Takamasa Yamaguchi said, “I am honored that our efforts were awarded the Gold rating for a second consecutive year. We believe that diversity is the essential to innovation. We will continue to create a working environment and company culture where everyone can be themselves and realize their potential, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

For more information about work with Pride, please see: https://workwithpride.jp/
For Famiee more information about, please see: https://www.famiee.com/