Pride month, typically June, has become a month of vibrant colorful celebration, with worldwide public recognition of a global shift towards equality for the wider LGBTQ+ community. In recent years, more and more people, companies, and organizations, are taking action to embrace diversity, promote equality, and celebrate the courage and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals. In this spirit, we at the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce are proud to change the Chamber’s logo for June.

Our usual logo is a Celtic knot with the colors of the Irish and Japanese flags, green, orange, and red, intertwined, beautifully representing the identity and purpose of the IJCC. Today, we switch our logo to the Pride rainbow flag colors, which represent the following:

· Red represents life.

· Orange represents healing.

· Yellow represents new ideas.

· Green represents prosperity.

· Blue represents serenity.

· Violet represents spirit.

The IJCC understands the importance of embracing diversity in all its forms, and through this logo, we wish to create a visual representation of our commitment to inclusivity, acceptance, and support for the LGBTQ+ community. We hope it helps raise awareness and encourage conversations that foster understanding.

Please reflect on what you can do to assure someone in your arena of life is afforded the opportunity to live authentically, free from discrimination and prejudice. Let us all foster an environment where everyone feels safe, celebrated, and accepted for who they are.

If you would like to be a part of the IJCC's mission to promote and foster Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), please get in touch with our DEI Committee Manager brietta.oleary [at] ijcc.jp (Brietta O'Leary).

Special thanks to IJCC Director Rick Grehan for creating this beautiful IJCC Pride logo.