I like that I am able to speak freely with many of my colleagues, both on and off work.

The fact that diversity is respected and that I can work as my authentic self is invaluable and the most appealing aspect for me.

I’m able to work totally as myself here - I can talk openly and propose ideas without hesitation. It makes it all the more rewarding to know that your ideas will be considered seriously (one of those ideas was to start our LGBT Working Group!).

I don't feel particularly uncomfortable, and I feel like a member of our company. That said, it’s also true that I have been asked questions that I am not comfortable answering, such as questions about marriage. Considering that the company has over 800 employees globally, you could say that this is proof of the closeness between employees, but I think there's still work to be done.

If Nikko AM was a company with a lack of understanding and discrimination against LGBT people, I feel I would not be able to grow in my career, nor be able to grow as a person, no matter how rewarding the work may be.

Respecting each other, recognizing each other, encouraging each other, helping each other.... All of these things are essential to our work as an organization, as a group, and as colleagues. The reason why that Nikko AM offers all of these essential things is because our company has a corporate culture in which communication is based on mutual respect, without any sense of discrimination. I hope to grow through my work at Nikko AM.

When I first joined the company, I didn't feel as though I needed to come out. However, when I would go out to lunch with my colleagues or attend work parties, naturally the subject of my personal life would come up. I would often be asked whether I had a girlfriend. In responding, I knew I had two choices ... lie or tell the truth. And while the truth may be risky, I felt it would be much more daunting and stressful to live a lie at work, so I came out.

While some of my colleagues were very supportive, initially others had their questions. With that said, the worry about being outed completely disappeared, and I felt as though a huge amount of stress was lifted off my shoulders. It took me some time to get used to it, but it gradually became easier and easier to work, and as a result, I am now able to work completely on my own terms, without any worries about my identity.

To respect diverse values and engage in constructive discussions. I also think that we should update our vision and code of conduct throughout the company in response to changes in society.

In terms of doing more for LGBT people, I think we need to make our personnel system more inclusive, make the company a place where everyone can work comfortably, and respect others while being aware that our business is supported by people with diverse backgrounds and values.

I believe we should set up a help desk.

When struggling with your sexuality, I think having someone to talk to about various issues can help avoid viewing LGBT in a negative light and allows for both parties in the conversation to see each other more positively.

I think promoting diversity is a great, but it cannot simply be just words with no action. I do think it’s necessary to better understand if HR policies are sufficiently inclusive by listening to the opinions of LGBT employees and revising them as necessary.