Suntory Global Spirits

Suntory received a score of 100 on the 2026 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (1)(2)(3). Suntory received a score of 100 on the 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (4)(5). Suntory was a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, which demonetized and suppressed content that it deemed to spread “hate speech” or “misinformation”, discuss “debated social issues in a negative or partisan context”, or “vilif[y]” individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. These arbitrary guidelines were used to censor mainstream perspectives online (6)(7)(8). However, Suntory has not publicly canceled business relationships based on political views or religious beliefs (9).

Suntory’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (1)(2)(3). Suntory’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (4)(5). However, the company does not appear to discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or beliefs (6)(7).

Suntory’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company forces employees to attend at least one, controversial training on gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender issues, and divisive racial ideology. The company provides gender transition guidelines for its employees and a specific benefits guide with a comprehensive explanation of transgender services funded by the company (1)(2)(3). Suntory’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company forces employees to attend multiple, controversial trainings on gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender issues, and divisive racial ideology. The company provides gender transition guidelines for its employees and a specific benefits guide with a comprehensive explanation of transgender services funded by the company (4)(5). Suntory provides unconscious bias training for its employees (6). However, the company does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (7).

Suntory’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company potentially agrees to allow a controversial stakeholder group focused on sexual identity issues to dictate marketing or advertising strategy. By doing so, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2)(3). Suntory’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company agrees to allow a controversial stakeholder group focused on sexual identity issues to dictate marketing or advertising strategy. By doing so, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (4)(5). Suntory’s former CEO, Albert Suntory, signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, which includes a commitment to promote DEI through bias education training in the workplace, strategize on DEI programs/initiatives with other signatories, and engage boards of directors when developing and evaluating DEI strategies (6)(7). The company released a statement following the death of George Floyd condemning racism and promoting DEI initiatives (8). Suntory opposed various state and local legislation intended to protect parental rights, girls’ sports, bathroom facilities, and gendered spaces (9). All the company’s senior leaders attended an inclusive leader workshop and 500 of its people leaders attended a Managing Inclusion or Unconscious Bias training (10).

Suntory’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company covers transgender related costs for its employees and their children, including paid short-term leave, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, medical visits, lab monitoring, and mental health benefits. The company also covers at least five of the following services: reconstructive hair removal, cosmetic hair removal, tracheal shave or reduction, facial surgeries, voice modification surgery, voice modification therapy, lipoplasty or filling for body masculinization or feminization, and travel and lodging expenses. Additionally, the company has potentially pledged philanthropic support of at least one organization or event that promotes sex and gender ideology. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2)(3)(4). Suntory’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company covers transgender related costs for its employees and their children, including paid short-term leave, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, medical visits and lab monitoring, travel and lodging. Additionally, the company has pledged philanthropic support of at least one organization or event that promotes sex and gender ideology. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (5)(6). After the death of George Floyd, Beam Suntory “committed to financially supporting the important work of leading social justice organizations” (7). In October 2020, Suntory brand, Courvoisier Cognac, partnered with the National Urban League to provide $1 million to black-owned businesses over 5 years (8). Suntory started the STEPUP Foundation to help individuals of different “races, color, national origins, genders, disabilities, and sexual orientations” acquire skills and industry experience (9). Suntory brand Hornitos has donated to GLAAD, an LGBTQ organization (10). Courvoisier has partnered with the National Urban League, though the partnership was mission-focused and designed to provide opportunities for black-owned businesses (11). Suntory is a corporate partner of the NGLCC and a Copper sponsor of Out & Equal (12)(13). The company also sponsored the creation of an LGBTQ-focused publication in Cincinnati (14). Suntory was a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (15)(16)(17). Suntory Global Spirits sponsored the Lexington Pride Festival in 2025 (18).

Suntory‘s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company publicly advocated for controversial sex and gender ideology through local, state or federal legislation or initiatives. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2). Suntory has not used its PAC donations for ideological purposes and does not report on its lobbying at this time (3)(4)(5).