Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan and FamilyMart Collaborate at KANDAI RAINBOW DAY Event

Promoting Diversity at KANDAI RAINBOW DAY

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan and FamilyMart have teamed up for a collaborative initiative to promote understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ individuals during the KANDAI RAINBOW DAY celebration at Kansai University on June 30, 2025. This event aligns with their ongoing commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically in the area of diversity and inclusion.

An Event Celebrating Diversity

The KANDAI RAINBOW DAY is centered around the theme: “It’s okay not to fit into someone else’s ‘normal’ - a safe space at Kansai University.” The festival aims to celebrate diversity and encourage individuals to embrace their true selves. This year, six interactive booths were set up to allow participants to learn and share experiences about sexual diversity in an enjoyable way.

Both Coca-Cola and FamilyMart's booths featured quizzes focusing on LGBTQ topics. Participants who successfully answered the quiz questions received original stickers designed to promote LGBTQ awareness along with Coca-Cola products. Feedback from attendees highlighted the valuable experience, with comments like “The questions were challenging, but the handbook made it easier to answer!” and “The original stickers are adorable!”

Collaboration and Support

Both companies have expressed their commitment to using their resources and expertise to continue supporting LGBTQ understanding. Their joint booth was open from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Kansai University's Senriyama Campus. Besides the quiz, the initiative included distributing a helpful handbook for LGBTQ allies and setting up a photobooth for event participants to engage with.

The original sticker designs were developed through a collaborative effort with Burubon, a renowned drag performer and writer. After extensive discussions to explore the messages they wanted to convey, approximately 30 designs were submitted, ultimately leading to a selection made by a vote involving around 2,600 employees from both companies.

Statements from Company Representatives

Takeshi Hoshimi, CEO of FamilyMart, shared, “In 2023, we began our journey with Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan focusing on ‘knowing’, and in 2024 on ‘taking action.’ For 2025, our theme is ‘act and spread the word.’ I am delighted that we got the chance to engage directly with students at Kansai University, conveying the message embedded in our original stickers about taking steps at one’s own pace.”

Karin Dragan, CEO of Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan, commented, “Since 2023, we have been collaborating with FamilyMart on various projects from a DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) perspective. I am thrilled to provide Kansai University students with insights and education regarding LGBTQ issues. I believe our quiz format and ally handbook helped inspire students to think about a society that respects individuality.”

Coca-Cola and FamilyMart remain dedicated to fostering an environment where all individuals can express themselves freely and safely. They aim to lead initiatives that extend beyond corporate boundaries, striving to build a society that supports every person in living authentically.

Future Initiatives

The partnership looks ahead to more opportunities for collaboration, continuing to champion LGBTQ understanding and inclusivity. This event marks just one of many steps on the journey toward social equity, where everyone has the right to be themselves.

For additional information on initiatives promoting LGBTQ awareness conducted by FamilyMart and Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan, refer to their respective news releases and reports.