TOKYO (AP) – A panel of experts that investigated harassment cases in Japan’s military and Defence Ministry said yesterday it found widespread cover-ups and reluctance among supervisors to deal with cases, and recommended fundamental improvements.
The investigation was commissioned by the ministry after a high-profile sexual assault case was brought by a former soldier.
The panel said about 80 per cent of the reported cases involved abuse of power and that sexual harassment accounted for about 12 per cent. It said in a report that more than 60 per cent of the victims in 1,325 cases reported to the panel never sought help from counsellors in the military or ministry due to a lack of trust in the system or a fear of retribution.
The panel said many of the 400 people it interviewed who had sought help from supervisors or counsellors said they did not receive appropriate help and faced cover-ups, pressure to drop cases, broken confidentiality or a lack of understanding.
The report urged the ministry and the military to raise awareness about harassment and introduce an appraisal system for those in supervisory positions that includes their handling of harassment cases, such as ensuring protection for victims and witnesses from retribution.
“In order to create an organisation that does not tolerate harassment, we will firmly take steps based on the recommendation (in the report),” said head of the ministry’s staffing and education bureau Satoshi Mikai as he received the report.
Several damage suits have been filed recently against the government by former and serving personnel who said their sexual harassment cases were covered up or mishandled.
