Osaka gov't worker disciplined for sexual harassment of subordinate

OSAKA -- A 58-year-old Osaka Prefectural Government worker has been suspended for repetitive sexual and power harassment toward a female subordinate, the prefectural government announced on Aug. 16.

The man, who belongs to the finance department, was suspended for six months, while his two bosses received reprimands.

Between May 2021 and March 2022, the man waited for the subordinate at a station close to her home and demanded that she take him there. According to the prefecture, he held her hand for around five minutes in the train though she expressed discomfort. He also called her into a room and asked her to take off her mask, saying, "I want to see your face," and continuously sent emails inviting her to meals. When the subordinate refused, he got into a bad mood, which reportedly made her nervous.

The male worker has reportedly commented, "I was aware of the possibility that I was making my subordinate suffer. I'm sorry for causing her distress for a long period of time."

(Japanese original by Satoshi Kondo, Osaka Science & Environment News Department)