Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2015 February 25 - March 3 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Top court: disciplinary action for sexual harassment is valid

The Supreme Court on February 26 judged that disciplinary measures imposed on two male managers for sexual harassment are reasonable.

The two men in their 40s were managerial staff of an aquarium operator in Osaka City. For their repeated sexually discriminating comments made to female employees, the operator suspended them from work for up to 30 days and downgraded their positions in 2012.

The men filed a lawsuit, claiming that this punishment was unfair. The Osaka District Court dismissed their claim, but the Osaka High Court in the appeal ruled that the disciplinary action was overly severe.

The Supreme Court, however, overturned the second court decision and condemned their sexual harassment remarks which continued for more than one year as inappropriate. The top court judged that the aquarium company’s disciplinary action was valid.

The two men made comments to the women such as, “I don’t know why my sexual desire increases every year,” “What are you doing here unmarried? Your parents must be sad because you’re still single,” and “Are you afraid to work at a hostess club? They pay better. You should.”