Hello! This time, I’d like to introduce an interview (available here) featuring Masakazu Yanagisawa, who appears in the “My Philosophy” series. Mr. Yanagisawa has long served as a leader of the LGBT community, playing a significant role in promoting LGBTQ+ awareness and advancing diversity in Japan. In the interview, he shares in detail the experiences and values that have shaped him.

Masakazu Yanagisawa’s Profile

• Graduated from Keio University’s Faculty of Policy Management.
• In 2011, served as the first manager of a “Colorful Café” in Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture, a space where both LGBT individuals and allies can feel comfortable just being themselves.
• The following year, he shared his experiences at TEDxTokyo, publicly coming out as gay. Broadcast via the internet worldwide, his speech was described as one of the world’s largest-scale coming-out stories.
• Later, he joined the “work with pride” project, calling on companies to promote LGBT awareness and take more proactive measures in the workplace. At the German investment bank where he worked, he helped found dbPride Tokyo in November of that year, a network for both LGBT employees and allies.
• In addition, driven by the desire to bring the concept of “being yourself” into the world of education, he became a founding board member of a foundation preparing to establish Japan’s first fully residential international school, the International School of Asia, Karuizawa (ISAK) in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture.
• He also writes a series called “LGBT Frontline” for Toyo Keizai Online.

Leading the LGBT Community for Many Years

Mr. Yanagisawa is a pioneering figure who, at a time when awareness of LGBTQ+ was still relatively low in Japan, actively shared information and brought the community’s voice to the broader public. Through events, seminars, and media appearances, he has worked tirelessly to emphasize the importance of living true to oneself, while also engaging with companies and government agencies. Thanks to these achievements and his character, he has continued to gather allies from inside and outside Japan, demonstrating strong leadership along the way.

Interview Highlights

1. The Timing and Background of His Coming Out
   How did Mr. Yanagisawa decide to come out, and what kind of reactions did he encounter? Perhaps it was precisely because he felt both “fear” and “uncertainty,” yet still had a drive to share his truth, that his current activities have been able to flourish.
2. The Motivation to Keep Going
   What has fueled him to continue despite periods when societal understanding was lacking? Learning about the sources of his motivation and how he dealt with failures or setbacks provides valuable hints for our own lives and work.
3. The Positive Value of Diversity
   He speaks from personal experience about the impact diversity can have on business and society. When people with varied backgrounds respect one another, it sparks new ideas and partnerships—that mechanism lies at the heart of Mr. Yanagisawa’s vision for the world.
4. His Vision for the Future
   What sort of future does Mr. Yanagisawa envision, and what can we do to help achieve it? In the closing section of the interview, he offers a message encouraging many people to take ownership in creating a society that is more open and accepting of diversity.

Impressions and Wrap-Up

Reading this interview makes it clear that Mr. Yanagisawa’s path has not always been easy. Nevertheless, you can sense his determination as a leader committed to supporting the community—always moving forward in pursuit of “living true to oneself.”
Given that society is currently undergoing change, the insights gained from Mr. Yanagisawa’s experiences and philosophy are all the more valuable. It seems that each of us taking an open-minded stance and recognizing our differences is the very first step toward a future where everyone can live with peace of mind.

Thank you for reading until the end. Let’s continue expanding our horizons by learning from the “philosophies” of many different people! Be sure to check out Mr. Yanagisawa’s illuminating story in the link below!